Pixrx
THE ' ' ^ ^^^^^^^ w
FLY-FISHEE'S ENTOMOLOGY.
ILLUSTRATED BY
COLOURED REPRESENTATIONS
OF THE
NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL INSECT.
AND ACCOMPANIED BY
^ feto ^b0ert3dtion0 anti 31n0tcuction£?
RELATIVE TO
TROUT-AND-GEAYLING FISHING.
BY ALFRED RONALDS.
WITH NINETEEN^ COPPER PLATES.
LONDON:
LONGMAN, REES, ORME, BROWN, GREEN,
AND LONGMAN.
1830.
CHARLES WHITTINGHAM, TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANK.
PREFACE.
The Author of this little work entreats that
it may be considered and judged of as the
labour, or rather the amusement, of an ama-
teur ; whose chief object has been to faci-
litate to the Tyro in the art, the making and
choice of artificial flies, on a plan of eluci-
dation derived from personal experience.
Having himself sorely felt the inadequacy
of mere verbal instructions to enable him to
imitate the natural fly correctly, or even ap-
proximatively, and the little utility of gra-
phical illustrations unaccompanied by the
principal requisite, viz. colour, he has been
induced to paint both the natural and ar-
tificial fly from nature, to etch them with his
own hand, and to colour, or superintend the
colouring of each particular impression.
He therefore presumes to hope that he
has succeeded in giving a useful collection
IV PREFACE.
of the leading flies for every month in tlie
season, and that any one who may be led
by it to a choice of flies from the stock of
the manufactm-er, or to the construction of
his own, will not have cause to repent of
having consulted the catalogue, chiefly com-
posing the fourth Chapter.
But since in his endeavours to improve
the art of fly-making, careful observations
were made relative to some of the habits of
the Trout and Grayling, and of many in-
sects upon which these fish prey ; it is hoped
that a few of these observations, intermixed
with a little useful information, and some re-
marks on other points more or less connected
with the principal subject, will not be
thought inappropriate. These form the
subjects of the three preceding Chapters.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER 1.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE TROUT AND GRAYLING.
Page
Of THE Trout. Measurement, Weight, Fins, Colour,
Condition, Haunts, &c. Description of a Fishing-hut
or Observatory. The Trout's sense of Hearing. Sight.
Taste and Smell. Manner of feeding, &c. Form,
Weight, Fins, &c. of the Grayling. Colour. Con-
dition. Haunts. Food 1
CHAPTER n.
OF TACKLE.
Rod. Line. Reel. Foot Line. Hook. Dubbing Bag.
General Directions for making a Fly and a Palmer.
Dyes for Feathers. Fly Books and Boxes. Crele.
Landing Net 22
CHAPTER HL
manner of fishing for trout and GRAYLING.
Preparation of the Rod and Line. Art of Throwing-.
Choice of Weather. State of the Water. Choice of a
Fly. Appearance of Life to be given to the Fly. Buzz
flies sometimes preferred. Rising short, &c. Sudden
CONTENTS.
Page
cessation of Rises, &c. Places to be whipped, &r
Throwing to a Trout just risen. Striking. Killi. .;,
Landing. Differences between Trout and GrayHng-
fishing. Manner of presenting the Fly. Landing, &c. 37
CHAPTER IV.
OF A SELECTION OF INSECTS, AND THEIR IMITATIONS,
USED IN FLY FISHING.
Flies, &c. used in March. Fhes, &c. for ApriL For
May. For June. For July. For August. For
September. Palmers for the Season 48
THE
FLY-FISHERS ENTOMOLOGY.
Chapter I.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE TROUT AND GRAYLING.
Of the Trout. Measurement, Weight, Fins, Colour, Condition, Haunts,
&c. Description of a Fishing-hut or Observatory. The Trout's
sense of Hearing. Sight. Taste and Smell. Manner of feeding, &c.
Form, Weight, Fins, &c. of the Grayling. Colour. Condition.
Haunts. Food.
Of the Trout there are several species or varieties
described by Naturalists and Anglers, but the ob-
servations which follow are chiefly applicable to
the Salmo Fario, or common Trout.
This much esteemed fish, when in the best
condition, generally measures from the nose to the
fork of the tail twice as much as the girth. The
weight of those usually taken with the fly is from
half a pound to tv^^o pounds and a half, and some-
times from four to five pounds.
He has eight fins (viz.) one dorsal, one anal,
B
2 OBSERVATIONS
two caudal, two pectoral, two ventral, and a little
fleshy one without spines on the back near the tail-
fin.
Sir H. Davy says (Salmonia, p. 73.) " I have
known the number of spines in the Pectoral fins
different in different varieties of Trout ; I have
seen them twelve, thirteen, and fourteen : but the
anal fin always, I believe, contains eleven spines,
the dorsal twelve or thirteen, the ventral nine, and
the caudal twenty-one."
The back fin has a pale brown colour, with
darker brown spots upon it ; the others (including
the tail) have a red tint. The colour of the back
when in perfect condition, (which is generally in
May, or in some waters not until June), is, usually,
a dark olive green, studded with a mixture of
black and brownish spots. The sides are shaded
off from the olive to a greenish yellow, studded
with red spots ; the black spots gradually vanish-
ing. Lower down the yellow tint becomes preva-
lent, and the belly is nearly white, without any
spots.
The whole surface of the fish, when in good
condition, always presents a beautiful gradation of
tints : but his complexion varies greatly in diffe-
rent waters, and also in all waters at different
periods of the year. It is principally modified by
his state of health.
PL I
H t
ON THE TROUT. 3
Sir H. Davy says : " The colouring matter is
not in the scales, but in the surface of the skin
immediately beneath them, and is probably a se
cretion easily affected by the health of the ani-
mal." (Salmonia, p. 40.)
After spawning time (i. e.) the month of Oc-
tober or November, both the male and female lose
their more beautiful tints, become thinner, and
are considered quite out of season ; and towards
the end of the winter, and even in March, some
little insects, like leaches, about an inch long,
called water lice, are found adhering to them ;
when in this sad state the cooked flesh cuts soft,
and looks white, (very different from the rich
salmon colour, which always indicates good con-
dition). Every true disciple of Izaak Walton who
may take such a thin black lookmg Trout will
return the lanky trophy to its native element.
Haunts.
To enumerate the rivers, streams, and brooks of
this country, which the common Trout inhabits,
would be an endless, and useless task ; he may be
said to frequent almost all of them, and will even
sometimes be discovered in a mere ditch (in
spawning time) having scarcely depth of water
enough to cover the back.
He delights in rapid clear-running waters, with
4: OBSERVATIONS
a rocky or gravelly bottom. An attempt has been
made in the annexed plan to point out his favourite
haunts, &c. in such waters. They are the tail of a
stream, (i. e.) the end of a little rapid, or swifter
running portion of the current, as A, the junction
of little rapids formed by water passing round an
obstruction in the midst of the general current as
B, and such tracts as C, where a chain of bubbles
or little floating objects indicate the course of the
principal current ; which course is chiefly depen-
dent upon various reflections of the water, from
projecting banks, rocks, scouers, and shoals, and
may often be guessed at, when not sufficiently
visible, by attending to the position of the banks.
&c. At roots of trees, or in other places where
the froth (called in Staffordshire Beggar's Balm)
collects, and in little whirlpools, as G, and eddies,
he will often be found. All such places are by
far the most favourable for sport ; for insects
follow the same course as the bubbles, &c. and
are sought there by the fish.
The larger Trout are on the scouers as at D in
the night, chasing minnows and other small fish.
In the day, they are cautiously watching for food
in deep holes, under hollow banks, or roots of
trees, or in the angles of rocks as E. In May, and
June, when the fish are strong, they are also to be
found in the more rapid parts of the water as F.
ON THE TROUT. 5:
These remarks, although not strictly applicable
to the Trout of all streams, may still, perhaps, not
be found useless, in a great variety of instances,
particularly in respect of brooks.
His great shyness renders it extremely difficult
to obtain any accurate knowledge of his habits,
by ocular demonstration. Even a thick bush will
seldom be found sufficiently opaque to conceal the
observer.
Observatory.
With a view to obviate this difficulty I built a
little fishing Hut, or Observatory, of heath, over-
hanging a part of the river Blythe, near Uttoxeter,
in Staffi)rdshire, which seemed favourable for the
purpose. Its form was octagonal, and it had three
windows, which being situated only four feet and
a half above the surface of the water, allowed
a very close view of it. The middle one com-
manded a scouer, each of the two others a small
whirlpool or eddy. The curtains of the windows
were provided with peepholes, so that the fish
could not see his observer, and a bank was thrown
up, in order to prevent a person approaching the
entrance of the hut from alarming the fish.
The stream was regularly fished, and nothing
else was done to interfere with the natural state of
the animal.
The stationary position in which he is enabled
e OBSERVATIONS
to maintain himself in the most rapid stream,
poised as it were like a hawk in the air, was the
first thing which seemed worth noting at this
fishing-hut. Even the tail, which is known to be
the principal organ of propulsion, can scarcely be
observed to move, and the fins, which are used to
balance the fish, seem quite useless, except when
he sees an insect ; then he will dart with the
greatest velocity through the opposing current at
his prey, and quickly return. The station which
he occupies in this manner is invariably well
chosen. Should a favourite haunt where food is
concentrated by the current be rather crowded by
his fellows, he will prefer contending with them
for a share of it, to residing long in an unfruitful
situation.
A Trout will chiefly frequent one place during
all the summer months. It is well known that he
quits the larger waters, and ascends the smaller
brooks for the purpose of spawning in October and
November, when the male assists the female in
making a hole in the gravel wherein to deposit the
ovse. By some it is supposed, that they both lie
dormant in the mud during the greatest severity
of the weather.
Sense of Hearing.
In order that we might be enabled to ascertain
the truth of a common assertion (viz.) that fish
ON THE TROUT. 7
can hear voices in conversation on the banks of a
stream, my friend, the Rev. Mr. Brown, of Grat-
wich, and myself, selected for close observation a
Trout poised about six inches deep in the water,
whilst a third gentleman, who was situated behind
the fishing-house, (i. e.) diametrically opposite to
the side where the fish was, fired off" one barrel of
his gun. The possibility of the flash being seen
by the fish was thus wholly prevented, and the
report produced not the slightest apparent effect
upon him.
The second barrel was then fired ; still he re-
mained immovable; evincing not the slightest
symptom of having heard the report. This expe-
riment was afterwards often repeated, and precisely
similar results were invariably obtained ; neither
could I, or other persons, ever awaken symp-
toms of alarm in the fishes near the hut by shout-
ing to them in the loudest tones, although our
distance from them did not sometimes exceed six
feet. The experiments were not repeated so often
as to habituate them to the sound.
It is possible that fishes may be in some manner
affected by vibrations communicated to their ele-
ment, either directly, or by the intervention of
aerial pulsations ; although it does not seem to be
clearly proved that they possess any organ appro-
priated exclusively to the purpose of hearing. At
0 15 S E R \ A I 1 O N S
all events it appears, that neither the above men-
tioned explosions, nor the loud voices, had power
to produce vibrations in the water, which could so
affect them.
Leaving the discussion of this intricate subject
to more able and learned speculators, it is suffi-
cient to know that the above mentioned Trout had
no ears to hear either the voices or the gun ; and I
firmly believe, that the zest which friendly chat
often imparts to the exercise of our captivating-
art, need never be marred by an apprehension that
sport will be impaired thereby.
Sight.
Of all the senses in fish, sight is perhaps the
one of most importance to them. Their eyes are
perfectly adapted to the element they inhabit ;
indeed their subsistence seems to depend almost
entirely upon the great sensibility of the optic
nerve and the just adaptation of the crystalline
and other humours to their proper office.
A fish can perhaps frequently distinguish (with
greater or less distinctness) much ??iore of objects
which are out of his own element than it is often
imagined that he can.
When A B (fig. 1. plate 2), for instance, situated
upon a certain eminence at a given distance from
a fish, C, which is near the" bottom of the water,
/Ig. cP
PbHl
ON THE TROUT. 9
looks over the edge of a bank, D, in the direction
A F Z, he might (if unacquainted with the laws of
refraction) imagine, that neither the fish C, nor
any other fish below the line of his direct vision,
A F Z, could see him ; whereas C could see A B
by means of the pencil of light, A F C E B, bent,
or refracted at the surface of the water, E F, and
the image of A B would appear in the eye of the
fish diminished and transferred to G H. The fish
in short could see the whole of the man, round, or
over the edge of the bank, by the aid of the water
above C, if both were situated as respectively
represented in the diagram ; but if the surface of
the water should be at I K, (i. e.) about as low as
the fishes' eye, then, he could not see any part of
the figure A B, because a straight or unrefracted
pencil of light, A C B, would be obstructed by
the bank.
Increments of obliquity in pencils of light fall-
ing upon a surface of water, &c. are accompanied
by increments of refraction, not in direct ratio to
the increase of obliquity, but in a much higher
ratio ; and indistinctness of vision in an eye re-
ceiving the pencil increases, on this account, in
some similar hip:h ratio.
The bending or refraction which a pencil of
light, as N E O F M, (fig. 2), falling very obliquely
upon the surface of the water, undergoes before
10 OBSERVATIONS
arriving at the eye of a fish as at O, is sufficient
to produce very great indistinctness and distortion
of the image of M P formed in his eye.
(Perhaps indistinctness of vision may, on other
accounts, take place in the eye of a fish looking
through air. The crystalline and perhaps other
humours may not be capable of such comprehen-
sive adjustment as vt^ould enable him to see so
distinctly through air as he can through vi^ater).
But long before a pencil of light, as N E L,
becomes horizontal it v^ill not enter the water at
all ; consequently, although the fish at O may see
the upper part of the man situated at M P, he
w^ill do so very indistinctly, and in a new position,
because the pencil N E O F M will be very much
refracted ; he will not see the part N L of the man
at all, because the pencil, N E L, does not enter
the water at all ; and he will see probably his
legs, L P, (in the clear water), because there is
neither refraction nor obstruction to prevent him.
So that the figure M P will, in the eye of the fish,
be cut up into two portions separated from each
other by a long unsubstantial interval. The appli-
cation of these two little theorems to the use of the
fisherman is too obvious to need pointing out here.*
* This diagram is constructed on two well-known optical laws, viz.
first, that the sine a. b. of the angle of incidence A E f, of a ray of
light passing out of air into water, is always to the sine c. d, of tiie
ON THE TROUT. 11
Taste and Smell,
It seemed almost impossible to devise experi-
ments relative to the sense of smell in fishes, which
would offer the prospect of satisfactory results,
without depriving the animal of sight; the cruelty
of which operation deterred me from prosecuting
the enquiry.
Observations on the taste of fishes are involved
in still greater diflSculty. I once threw upon the
water, from my hut (by blowing them through a
tin tube) successively, ten dead house-flies, towards
a Trout known to me by a white mark upon the
nose, (occasioned by the wound of a hook), all
of which he took. Thirty more, with Cayenne
pepper^ and mustard plastered on the least con-
spicuous parts of them, were then administered in
the same manner. These he also seized ; twenty
of them at the instant they touched the water,
and allowing no time for the dressing to be dis-
persed ; but the other ten remained a second or
two upon the surface before he swallowed them,
and a small portion of the dressing parted and
angle of refraction C E e, as about four to three : and, secondly, that
light will not pass out of air into water, if the angle of incidence N E f,
(fig. 2), exceeds about 88 degrees (but will be reflected).
The old well-known experiment of the shilling and the basin of water,
affords an easy practical demonstration of the first mentioned theorem.
12 OBSERVATIONS
sank. The next morning several exactly similar
doses were taken by the same fish, who was appa-
rently so well contented with the previous day's
treatment that he seemed to enjoy them heartily.
From these and similar experiments, such as Trout
taking flies dipped in honey, oil, vinegar, &c. I
concluded that if the animal has taste his palate is
not peculiarly sensitive.
My experience goes to prove contrary to the
opinion of some who say that the Trout will take
every insect, that he does not feed upon the hive
Bee, or Wasp, and that he very rarely takes the
Humble Bee.
It seemed to be a common practice with those
who plied for food near the hut, to lay an em-
bargo upon almost every little object which floated
down the stream, taking it into the mouth, some-
times with avidity, sometimes more slowly, or
cautiously, as if to ascertain its fitness, or un-
fitness, for food, and frequently to reject it in-
stantly. This seems to favour the notion that if
the Trout has not a taste similar to our own he
may be endowed with some equivalent species of
sensation in the mouth. It may also account for
his taking a nondescript artificial fly, but it fur-
nishes no plea to quacks and bunglers, who invent-
ing, or espousing, a new theory, whereby to hide
their want of skill or spare their pains, would kill
ON THE TROUT. 13
all the fish with one fly, as some doctors would
cure all diseases by one pill. If a Trout rejects the
brown hive Bee at the time that he greedily swal-
lows the March-brown fly, it is clear that the imi-
tation should be as exact as possible of the last,
and as dissimilar as possible to the first.
I have very frequently watched fish in an appa-
rently hesitating attitude when Bees and Wasps
were within their ken. How far either smell or
taste may be concerned in this seeming indecision
the writer cannot determine.
On one occasion I observed an Humble Bee
which floated down the stream visited by a Trout,
who suffered himself to descend also with the cur-
rent just under the bee, his nose almost touching
it for about three feet, but he struck away without
taking it.
At another time I saw a fish swim up to an
Humble Bee which was thrown to him, and exa-
mine it very attentively, he then cautiously and
leisurely took it in his mouth and descended with
it, but immediately afterwards gave it up ; he
then seemed to be closely occupied with another
humble bee swimming up to and away from it six
times, each time almost touching it with his nose.
Ultimately he took this also, but immediately re-
jected it.
Sir H. Davy (Salmonia, page 28) says, " The
14 OBSERVATIONS
principal use of the nostrils in fishes, I believe, is
to assist in the propulsion of water through the
gills for performing the office of respiration ; but I
think there are some nerves in these organs which
give fishes a sense of the qualities of water, or of
substances dissolved in or diffused through it
similar to our sense of smell or perhaps rather
our sense of taste, for there can be no doubt that
fishes are attracted by scented worms which are
sometimes used by anglers that employ ground
baits." Also page 184, he says, " We cannot
judge of the senses of animals that breathe water —
that separate air from water by their gills ; but it
seems probable that as the quality of the water is
connected with their life and health, they must be
exquisitely sensible to changes in water, and must
have similar relations to it, that an animal with
the most delicate nasal organs has to the air."
Surely no reasoning can be more sound than
this. Should not our endeavours be directed,
rather to the discovery of senses in fish, which we
have not, than to attempts at comparison between
our own senses and theirs ?
Having examined the stomachs of many Trouts
taken in almost every week throughout the three
last entire fishing seasons, with a view chiefly to
assist my choice of flies for the catalogue below ;
I found that his food consisted besides Flies and
ON THE TROUT. 15
Caterpillars, of Larvae, Sqiiillse (or fresh water
Shrimps) small Fish, young Crawfish, Spiders,
Millipedes, Earwigs, and the Water Beetle. I
never discovered Frogs, Snails, or Mice, but have
no doubt that other waters afford other fare even
" Sauces piqiiaiites of fish hooks."
A convenient method of examining the contents
of the stomach is to put the materials into a hair
sieve and pump clean water upon them ; when
parted and suflBciently clean the whole may be
put into a large cup, full of clean water, for exa-
mination.
THE GRAYLING
Is a more elegantly formed fish than the Trout.
He has a smaller head and mouth, is broader
across the shoulders, and tapers off more rapidly
to the tail, which is more forked. The front
of the eye is elliptical, and the pupil much more
elongated than that of the Trout, the side towards
the nose being drawn out to an acute angle.
The opposite side is less pointed.
His back fin is very large. It has twenty-three
spines, the ventral fin (near the head) has sixteen,
the pectoral ten, the anal fourteen, and the tail
eighteen.
He sometimes grows to about three pounds in
weight, though one of a pound and a half is con-
IG 0T5SEKVATI0NS
sidered a good sized fi sli, and larger are not very
often caught with the fly, the usual weight being
from half a pound to a pound of those which rise
freely to it. The fish of the spawn of April or
May (measuring from the nose to the fork of the
tail) grows to about six inches by the next April.
A general tint which may be called a light blue
silvery grey, pervades nearly the whole surface of
his body, except the belly, which is white or nearly
so, but the scales reflect as great a variety of
colours and tints as positions can be found to view
them from. The back and head are of a much
darker grey, but its components cannot, perhaps,
be particularized. Some lines of brown are inter-
mixed with the grey of the sides, and a few black
spots are seen near the shoulder. The back fin
has a purplish tint studded with large dark spots,
the other fins are not so red as those of the Trout,
but have more yellow-brown in them. The tail
is a kind of slate colour. The colours vary a little
in different waters, and, unlike the Trout, the
better the condition, the darker is the fish, espe-
cially upon the back and head, " and you are to
note," that the throat has a long black patch upon
it when he is in high condition, but it is hardly to
be seen when he is out of order. He is, however,
seldom or never found in the miserable state so
common to Salmon and Trout after spawning.
GRAYLING. 17
The Grayling' is an excellent fish both for sport
and the table, and as his finest condition subsists
during the Autumn and Winter months, when the
Trout season ceases, the Angler finds great plea-
sure and consolation in visiting the streams in the
autumn in search of him, or even on fine days in
winter. On this account, those who have not the
Grayling in their waters, would perhaps some-
times do well to try to introduce him.
The waters in which he thrives may be either
clear or discoloured, but a rather peculiar forma-
tion of the bed of the current seems to be required,
his favourite streams having now somewhat shal-
low and rapid, then long, slow-running, deep,
tracts ; in which latter places he poises himself
about three or four feet below the chain of insects,
&c. as at H H (see plate 1.)
As he feeds principally on Larvae and flies, he
should, according to Malthus, be populous, (all
other things being equal), in proportion as these
insects are so.
Temperature, both of climate and water, no
doubt affects both the fish and his food, as also
may the chemical properties of the stratum over
which the stream flows ; the mineral held in solu-
tion by the fluid (which he breathes) cannot fail
to affect his constitution in some measure.
But there exists no authority for the localities
c
18 OBSERVATIONS
of the Grayling at all comparable with Sir H.
Davy, who '* has fished much in, and enquired
much respecting the places where it is found."
At p. 221 (Salmonia) he says, " In the Test where
the Grayling has been only recently introduced,
they have sometimes been caught between three
and four pounds ; in this river I never took one
above two pounds, but I have heard of one being
taken of two pounds and a half. The Grayling
is a rare fish in England, and has never been found
in Scotland or Ireland ; and there are few rivers
containing all the conditions necessary for their
increase. I know of no Grayling river farther
West than the Avon, in Hampshire ; they are
found in some of the tributary streams of this river
which rise in Wiltshire. I know of no river con-
taining them on the North coast West of the
Severn : there are very few only in the upper
part of this river, and in the streams which form it
in North Wales. There are a few in the Wye
and its tributary streams. In the Lug, which
flows through the next valley, in Herefordshire,
many Grayling are found. In the Dee, as I said
before, they are found, but are not common. In
Derbyshire and Staffordshire, the Dove, the Wye,
the Trent, and the Blythe, afford Grayling; in
Yorkshire, on the North coast, some of the tribu-
tary streams of the Kibble, — and in the South, the
ON THE GRAYLING. 19
Ure, the Wharfe, the Humber, the Derwent, and
the streams that form it, particularly the Rye."
Again at page 203, he says, " Having travelled
w^ith the fishing rod in my hand through most of
the Alpine valleys in the South and East of Eu-
rope, and some of those in Norway and Sweden, I
have always found the Char in the coldest and
highest waters ; the Trout in the brooks rising in
the highest and coldest mountains ; and the Gray-
ling always lower where the temperature was
milder : and if in hot countries, only at the foot of
mountains, not far from sources which had the
mean temperature of the atmosphere ; as in the
Vipacco, near Coritzea, and in the streams which
gush forth from the limestone caverns of the Noric
Alps.
" Besides temperature, Grayling require a pecu-
liar character in the disposition of the water of
rivers. They do not dwell like Trout in rapid
shallow torrents ; nor like Char or Chub in deep
pools or lakes. They require a combination of
stream and pool ; they like a deep and still pool
for rest, and a rapid stream above, and gradually
declining shallow below, and a bottom where
marl and loam is mixed with gravel ; and they are
not found abundant except in rivers that have
these characters."
The Rev. Mr. Low says, (p. .), " The Gray-
20 OBSERVATIONS
ling is frequent in the Orkney Islands as it is in
Lapland and Switzerland ; but it is rare in Scot-
land, and confined in England to the Avon near
Salisbury, the Ure near Fountain's Abbey, the
Dee between Corwan and Bala, and the Dove ;
also the Trent, the Wharfe, the Humber, the Rye,
and the Derwent."
The Grayling is seldom known to take the
Minnow, and I have never found any in his
stomach, although I have taken out much Larvae
covered with cases of sand, and some having six
stones attached to each, as also Larvae when in the
mummy state. I have always found flies, and
those principally of the more delicate sorts of
Ephemerae.
He rises with great velocity and almost perpen-
dicularly to seize his prey, at the top of the water,
and descends as quickly after making a summerset,
for the performance of which feat, the figure of his
body, and the great dorsal fin seem well adapted ;
his agility on this occasion is indeed so great, that
he seems a phantom or flitting shadow ; hence,
say some, his name Umbra corrupted to Umber,
It has been supposed that he feeds upon the water-
thyme, but I never found any vegetable whatever
in the stomach, though I have opened as many
Grayling as Trout. He has, however, a rather
peculiar scent when just taken from the water,
ON THE GRAYLING. 21
fragrant and grateful to the fisherman, and thought
by many to resemble that of thyme, consequently
has been also called (by Linnaeus) the Salmo Thy-
mallus, and by St. Ambrose *' the flower of
fishes."
He seems to congregate more than the Trout,
and is not so easily driven from his station by an
approach, but whether this be owing to his lying-
lower down in the water, or from his being na-
turally a less timid fish, remains yet to be ascer-
tained.
Chapter II ,
OF TACKLE.
Rod. Line. Reel. Foot Line. Hook. Dubbing Bag. General Direc-
tions for making a Fly and a Palmer. Dyes for Feathers. Fly Books
and Boxes. Crele. Landing Net.
Like the bow of the Archer, the Rod of the Angler
should be duly proportioned in dimensions and
weight, to the strength and stature of him who
wields it. The strong or tall man, may venture
upon a rod about fourteen or fifteen feet long : but
to the person who is shorter or less robust, one
so short even as twelve or twelve feet and a half,
and light in proportion, is recommended, as the
command will be sooner obtained, and with very
much less fatigue to the arm. The best materials
are, ash for the stock, lancewood for the middle, and
bamboo for the top ; the but should have a hole
drilled down it with a spare top in it, and a spike
is made to screw into the end, which will be found
useful to stick into the ground, and keep the rod
upright, when landing a good fish. The ferrules
of brass should fit into each other with screws.
THE ROD AND LINE. 23
A good Rod should be such that its pliability
may be felt in the hand, yet it should not deviate
or droop by its own weight, if held by the but in
a horizontal position, more than three or four in-
ches from a straight line.
The rings are usually too small ; not allowing
such slight obstacles on the line, as can never be
totally prevented, to run with sufficient freedom
through them ; they should all be of the size of
those usually put upon the stock. The rod may
not have quite so neat an appearance thus treated,
but this will be found to be amply compensated in
its use ; for the sudden stops occasioned by an ac-
cident to the line, whilst being pulled up rapidly,
has often caused the loss of a good fish, the strain-
ing of, if not breaking, a good rod, and sometimes
the breach of the third commandment.
Rings may be had (slit down the middle) in the
manner of key rings, very little heavier, yet larger
than the usual rings. These can be easily sub-
stituted upon the little metallic loops in lieu of the
smaller rings by the possessor of a rod himself,
without at all injuring it.
Line,
The beginner should not take the finest Fly Line
he can buy, but rather choose the strongest line of
this kind to be had, since too fine a line will not
24 OF TACKLE.
only be more likely to break than a heavier one,
but will not be so easy for him to throw.
Reel.
Notwithstanding the many complaints which
have been made of the Reel usually sold, no very
great improvement upon it seems to have been put
into practice. The principal requisites seem to
be, first, a capability of winding up the line
rapidly ; secondly, smallness ; thirdly, lightness ;
fourthly, freedom from liability to derangement.
Perhaps rather too much of the first requisite is
generally sacrificed, for the sake of cheapness, and
for the purpose of obtaining the second and third.
A reel having a sheave upon which the line is to be
wound, whose groove for the reception of the line
is three quarters of an inch broad, whose barrel is
two inches in diameter, and whose total diameter
is two inches and three quarters, would receive a
trout-line of twenty yards perfectly well. The
whole diameter of such a reel need not exceed
three inches and a quarter, nor the whole breadth
one inch and a quarter. The wheels might mul-
tiply five times, and therefore the average rate at
which it would wind up the line would be nearly
three feet for every revolution of the handle,
whereas a common reel, (now before me,) multi-
plying four times, winds up at every turn of the
THE REEL. 25
handle, when the line is nearly out, only three
inches, and when it is nearly wound up, eighteen
inches, making a mean of ten inches and a half.
The proposed reel would therefore wind up the
line more than three times as fast, and besides this
superior rapidity, would possess the advantage
of winding up the line almost as quickly w^hen it
is nearly all out, as when it is nearly all in. It
might also be so constructed as to weigh very
little more than the common reel, made for such a
line, and would be less liable to derangement,
(which last advantage would be a consequence
of both the multiplying wheels being larger than
usual,)
A simple reel, with a sheave of large diameter
has been made of wood, and without multiplying
wheels, but it has a very clumsy appearance, and
is liable to obvious objections.
A reel has been invented lately containing a
spiral spring which acts (in the manner of the
spring in a window blind) upon the axis to wind
up the line.
And it has been recently, and very ingeniously
proposed by an experienced brother of our art,
to inclose, either wholly or partially, a kind of
reel in the but of the rod. If sufficient rapidity
can be given to such a reel, without much liability
to derangement, (which does not seem a very diffi-
26 OF TACKLE.
cult task,) it will be an invaluable and elegant
acquisition.
Bottom Line,
For making a good Bottom, or foot line, or
casting line, gut is recommended in preference to
weed, or hair ; it should be of the very best
quality, round, and of even thickness, clear, and
white. By adopting the precautions recommended
in the following instructions, it may be used fine,
although as strong or nearly so as the end of his
line. The length of the bottom should be about
equal to that of the rod.
Four or five of the very finest lengths of gut
should first be chosen, then three or four more of
the middle size, and lastly one or two much
stronger.
These must all be proved before they are put
together thus : — One end of a length must be put
between the teeth, and the other pulled until the
gut breaks at the weakest part. This operation
must be repeated continually with the best por-
tions, until they snap with considerable resistance.
Then the ends may be reversed and the operation
proceeded with as before, until the last remaining
piece is deemed strong enough for its office. This
manner of getting rid of the bad portions will not
appear extravagant, but the contrary, when 'it is
THE HOOK. 27
considered that the loss of a whole or large part
of the foot-line, with a fly or two, and perhaps a
fine Trout, may be the consequence of an undue
weakness existing in any particular part of it.
These well proved lengths of gut must now be
lashed together with waxed silk, or tied by a knot,
and the strongest must be provided with a large
loop, w^hereby it may be attached to the line.
Hook,
The Hook requires particular attention. It is
sufficiently provoking to discover that one has
made a good fly upon a bad hook ; but to lose a
good fish in consequence is truly awful.
The Kirby hook, see fig. 40, plate 14, is fre-
quently preferred. The Limerick is also a good
hook for large flies, as at present made by
O'Shauglmessy of Limerick, see fig. 29, plate 13.
His is not too proud in the barb, and is gene-
rally properly tempered. The Carlisle hook may
also rank amongst the good ones, fig. 38, plate 17.
To prove the temper of a hook, stick the point
into a piece of soft wood, before it is fastened
to the gut and pull by the shank. If it is well
tempered, it will not break or bend without con-
siderable resistance.
28 OF TACKLE.
Dubbing Bag.
The Dubbing Bag contains every thing in the
world. Some people have very neat little cabi-
nets made expressly ; we cannot blame their taste,
if they possess the organ of order.
Fly Making.
Many books, after trying to tell us how to
MAKE A FLY, very justly add, that the art cannot
be told, it must be seen. We shall follow the
fashion.
1 . Take a piece of gut proved to be strong
enough by the above mentioned process, and bite
about a tenth of an inch at one extremity, so as
to make it flat, (in order that it may be less liable
to slip after being tied on to the hook.) Then
holding a fine thread well waxed with cobbler s
wax, (ABC D, plate 3, fig. 1.) in one hand,
whip a part of it three or four times round the
end of the shank of the hook, beginning to whip
at B, and leaving a few inches of thread at A B
hanging down, with a pair of forceps, or little
weio^ht at the end of it.
2. Hold the bitten end E (fig. 2.) of the gut
E C F, in contact with the shank of the hook,
and wind tightly the portion of thread C D of
h^, 1. first, once or twice round the gut close to
FLY MAKING. 29
the end of the shank, fig. 2. and then over the
portion of gut C E, the three or four coils B C,
already made, and the shank of the hook, C B E,
leaving out the piece of thread A B, still hanging
dow^n.
3. Bring two or three stylish w^hisks from a red
hackle into the position shewn in figure 3, and
bind them securely there, for the tail, by means
of the same end (c, d) of silk as was last used.
Bind in, at the same time, the extremity of a
piece of fine gold tw^ist (e, f), and also an end of
some dubbing of orange and red floss silk mixed.
Then spin the floss silk on to the remnant (c, d) of
silk thread, and wind it on the shank, or w^ind it
on the shank without spinning.
4. Warp the remnant (c, d) round the shank,
&c. back to B, and make it fast there with the
thread A B ; then coil or rib the gold twist (e, f)
over the coils made by c, d in the manner shewn in
fig. 4, and make it fast also with the thread AB.
This completes the body.
5. Bring the upper end of a red hackle stained
amber colour into the position shewn in ^g. 5,
tie it there by means of the well waxed thread,
A B, and cut ofl* the projecting piece (G) of the
hackle.
6. Wind the other part of the hackle, B H,
(fig. 5) two or three times round the upper end
30 OF TACKLE.
of the body, and bind it tightly and neatly there
(with A B), and in such manner that the fibres
may stand as shewn in fig. 6. This represents
legs.
7. Take two pieces, I K, fig. 6, from the under
side of the wing of a starling, and bind them on
(with the but ends towards the top of the shank)
firmly and neatly, at nearly the same place B,
(a little nearer to the top of the shank.) Part
them, if you choose, snip off the but ends ob-
liquely, bind the short stumps dow^n upon the
shank, &c. (so that they may not be seen) and
fasten off with the invisible knot of three coils.*"
You will now possess a great red spinner com-
plete, provided always that you have seen a great
deal more of the art than you have read, and that
you have been yourself a tolerably good dubbing
spinner.
To make a Buzz-fly with a hackle, (see fig. 5,
plate 5) the upper or pointed end of the hackle
must be tied at the tail E (fig. 3, plate 3) with
the ends of the materials of the body (by means of
the thread c, d.) and the hackle must be wound up
over the dubbing, and fastened off with the thread
* To make this knot : Make three loose coils over the fore finger of
the left hand, pass the end of the thread under them, and draw each
coil tight by pulling each separately as it were.
PALMER MAKING. 31
A B, after the gold or silver twist or other inbbing
has been wound on and fastened off with A B.
If a Buzz-fly (as figs. 28 and 29, plate 13) is to
be made with any other feather than a hackle, the
feather should be stroked back, its pointed end
should be tied on at the shoulder B, fig. 4, plate 3,
of the fly, three or four coils of the feather should
be made round the part above B, and the stands
or fibres of the feather should be carefully picked
out, as the coiling proceeds, otherwise it will not
lie well. The but end of the feather must be
tied in at the head of the fly with the thread A B,
which must be fastened off as usual with the invi-
sible knot of three coils.
In making a fly with wings intended to repre-
sent natural wings at rest, (as fig. 2, plate 4), the
hackle feather may, in some cases, be dispensed
w^ith, and a little of the dubbing may be left out
in the warping, or picked out of the body with a
needle, after the winding or warping, to serve for
legs instead of the hackle feather. In every other
respect the fly may be made in the manner pre-
scribed for the great red Spinner. (See p. 28.)
When a hackle or other feather is used for the
purpose of making a winged fly buzz, its tint
should be lighter than that of the natural wings ;
for the effect of the buzzing motion is to give them
this lighter appearance.
32 OF TACKLE.
To make a Palmer.
1. Bite the end of a strong piece of gut, and
whip a part of the thread A B C D, fig. 1, round
the end of the shank of a hook (as before, see
page 28).
2. Place the gut in contact with the hook, and
wind the portion of thread, C D, of fig. 1, over
the part of gut C E, fig. 2, the three or four coils
B C, and the shank of the hook C B E, &c. not
leaving the end of thread as before hanging from
B, but including it in the new coils, and* allowing
it to hang from E (fig. 7).
3. Wind rapidly (or run) c d back again to C,
and include the but end of a red hackle G H
(fig. 7) in the four or five last coils of this winding.
4. Bring another hook, I, into the position
shewn in fig. 7, and attach it to the gut E C F, by
winding the same thread, c d, round its shank and
the gut. Then wind c d two or three times
round the gut only (close to the end of the hook)
and back again two or three coils over the shank,
to form the head of the Palmer.
5. Tie in (with the same thread, c d) another
hackle, K L, by the but, together with three pea-
cock's hurls, M N.
6. Wind the thread c d with the peacock's
hurls, spun or rather twisted on it, back to C, and
FLY BOXES. 33
make it fast there (or hold it tight), but do not
cut off the remnant. Also wind the hackle K L
over the dubbing of peacock's hurl back to C,
and tie it, picking out any strands which may
happen to be tied in, and snip off the ends of
KL.
7. Now wind the remaining dubbing-spun piece
of silk (c d) over the coils of thread and the shank
of the first mentioned hook down to E, bind it
there with the well waxed thread A B ; wind also
the hackle G H over the dubbing down to E, make
all fast by means of the thread A B and the invi-
sible knot ; snip off all the remnants, and your red
Palmer (see fig. 45, page 19) will be ready to make
a pilgrimage in search of a Trout.
Fly Books and Boxes.
Having lost many flies out of the boxes and
books usually sold, I at last adopted the following-
little device of a friend, which has certainly served
to retain them better, and to keep them in better
order for selection. Several round pieces of card-
board, as fig. 8, plate 3, are first fitted to the box.
At the centre of each of these is fixed a piece of
cork, round which two concentric circles of stitches
of gut (or sometimes very well waxed fine silk
thread) are formed, and they are covered at the
back (or under side of the card) with a piece of
D
34 OF TACKLE.
paper pasted over them. On the upper side and
under these stitches the barbs of the hooks are
passed, the long ends of the gut are put through
a hole in the centre of the cork, and these cards
are packed in the box over each other, without
injury or derangement to the flies upon them.
The Basket or Crele should not be large and
cumbersome, and should neatly fit the back.
The Landing-net should be light, the handle
long, and the net deep.
RECIPES FOR DYEING AND STAINING
FEATHERS, ETC.
1. TO DYE WHITE FEATHERS A DUN COLOUR.
Make a mordant by dissolving about a quarter
of an ounce of alum in a pint of water, and slightly
boil the feathers in it, taking care that they shall
be thoroughly soaked or saturated with the solu-
tion, then boil them in other water with fustick,
shumach, and a small quantity of copperas, put
into it until they have assumed the required tint.
The greater the quantity of copperas the deeper
will be the dye.
2. TO TURN RED HACKLES BROWN.
Put a piece of copperas the size of half a wal-
nut into a pint of water; boil it, and whilst boil-
DYEING. 35
iiig put in the red feathers. Let them remam
until by frequent examination they are found to
have taken the proper colour.
3. TO STAIN FEATHERS AN OLIVE DUN, ETC.
Make a very strong infusion of the outside brown
leaves or coating of an onion root, by allowing the
ingredients to stand warm by the fire for ten or
twelve hours. If dun feathers are boiled in this
dye they will become an olive dun; and white
feathers a yellow. If a small piece of copperas be
added the latter colour will become a useful muddy
yellow, darker or lighter as may.be required, and
approaching to a yellow olive dun, according to
the quantity of copperas used.
4. TO DYE A mallard's FEATHER FOR THE GREEN DRAKE.
Tie up some of the best feathers in bunches of
a dozen, and boil them in the same mordant of
alum as given in No. I, merely to get the grease
out. Then boil them in an infusion of fustick to
procure a yellow, and subdue the brightness of
this yellow by adding copperas to the infusion.
5. TO DYE FEATHERS DARK RED AND PURPLE.
Hackles of various colours boiled (without alum)
in an infusion of logwood and Brazil wood dust,
until they are as red as they can be made by this
36 OFTACKLE.
means, may be changed to a deeper red by putting
them into a mixture of muriatic acid and tin,'
and to a purple by a warm solution of potash.
As the muriatic acid is not to be saturated with
tin, the solution must be much diluted. If it
burns your tongue much, it will burn the feathers
a little.
6. TO DYE FEATHERS VARIOUS SHADES OF RED, AMBER,
AND BROWN.
First boil them in the alum mordant (see No.
1) ; secondly, boil them in an infusion of fustick
strong enough to bring them to a bright yellow
(about a table spoon full to a pint of water), then
boil them in a dye of mather, peach wood, or
Brazil wood. To set the colour, put a few drops
of " the prepared spiritSy (which may be had
from a silk dyer), or a little nitrate of tin, into the
last mentioned dye.
7. TO STAIN SILK GUT THE COLOUR OF RET, WEEDS, ETC.
Make an infusion of onion coatings (see No. 3),
put the gut into it when quite cold, and let it re-
main until the hue becomes as dark as may be
required.
Gut may be stained in an infusion of green tea,
a useful colour for some waters.
A dye of logwood will turn it to a pale blue.
Chapter III.
MANNER OF FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING.
Preparation of the Rod and Line. Art of Throwing. Choice of Wea-
ther. State of the Water. Choice of a Fly. Appearance of Life
to be given to the Fly. Buzz flies sometimes preferred. Rising
short, &c. Sudden cessation of Rises, &c. Places to be whipped,
S^c. Throwing to a Trout just risen. Striking. Killing. Landing.
Differences between Trout and Grayling-fishing. Manner of pre-
senting the Fly. Landing, &c.
When the rod is put together the rings upon it
should fall into a line with each other. The reel
containing the line is sometimes fastened to a belt
round the body, but generally attached to the rod
at the distance of ten to fourteen inches from the
end of the but, (i. e.) that place where it produces
a small and pleasant degree of counterbalance to
the upper end of the rod. The fine end of the
line with a loop receives the foot line, and to the
fine end of the foot line is attached a fly or palmer,
which is called the Stretcher. Other flies, which
are made fast to the foot line, are called Droppers,
two of which are generally sufficient. The first
33 OF FISHING FOR
dropper is placed at about one yard distant from
the stretcher, the second about three quarters of a
yard from the first, each upon a piece of gut
about four inches long. And the knots used for
this purpose are so contrived, that they can be
detached and resumed at pleasure.
Throwing.
In order to acquire the art of throwing a fly, it
may be advisable to practise, previously to visiting
the stream, in an open space free from trees, v\^here
a piece of paper may represent the spot required
to be thrown to. Taking the wind in his back,
the tyro, with a short line at first, may attempt to
cast within an inch or two of the paper, and after-
wards by degrees lengthen his line as his improve-
ment proceeds ; he may then try to throw in such
a direction that the wind may in some measure
oppo^se the line and rod ; and lastly, he may practise
throwing against the wind. In this way any per-
son may become an adept in throwing a fly, much
sooner than by trusting solely to the experience
which he may get when at the water-side ; for his
attention being then wholly engrossed by the hopes
of a rise, &c. a bad habit may be very easily en-
gendered, which will not be as easily got rid of.
He should endeavour to impart to the line a
good uniform sweep or curve round the head ; for
TROUT AND GRAYLING. 39
if it returns too quickly or sharply from behind
him, a crack will be heard and the fly whipped
off. There is some little difficulty in acquiring
this management. The larger the fly the more
resistance it meets with in the air ; this resistance
causes it to make a better curve, and the danger
of smacking it oft^ is lessened. A Palmer made
as shewn in plate 19 is not easily lost in this
manner.
The attempt to describe by words all the pre-
cautions and manipulations requisite for throwing
a fly successfully and gracefully would be as hope-
less a task as that of teaching to dance by such
means. It must be abundantly evident that the
fly should drop as light as possible on the water,
and that an awkward unmannerly splash will in-
evitably mar the delusion.
Weather, 8^c.
The best days to select for fly fishing are those
that are warm and cloudy, with a gentle breeze
from the South or West, causing a ripple upon
the water ; by which the fish is not only prevented
from seeing the fisherman so plainly as in smooth
water, but is also deprived of so good an opportu-
nity of detecting the fly-maker's artifice.
The water after a flood sometimes remains for
several days too turbid for fly fishing. When it
40 OFFISHINGFOR
is very low in its bed and clear it is also unpro-
pitioiis, and success is obtained with difficulty.
When the water is unusually high, though it be
not discoloured, the fish seem to be feeding more
at the bottom than above : but these two last ob-
stacles will not deter the sportsman from trying
his skill.
Choice of Flies,
The selection of a fly requires more judgment,
experience, and patience, than any other branch of
the art. The beginner will soon discover that his
choice cannot be absolutely decided by reference
to the catalogue in the following chapter merely,
or to any catalogue whatever. For when a fly is (in
the former) said to be in season, it does not follow
that it is abroad every day of its existence. The
state of the weather, in respect of heat and mois-
ture, have great influence in this respect; he should
therefore bear in mind that the Coleoptera, or
Beetle, will be on the water on hot days princi-
pally. The Ephemeridae, or fish fly, on rather cold
days. The Phryganidae, or water fly, as the Gran-
nom, &c. on cloudy days with gleams of sunshine.
The Diptera and other land flies on windy days,
as the Cow Dung Fly, &c. He would often do
well to begin fishing with a Palmer as a stretcher,
and the fly which seems most suitable for the day
as a dropper, one yard and three-quarters from it :
TROUT AND GRAYLING. 41
not changing these until he can discover what fly
the fish are actually rising at. The Palmer is
never totally out of season, and is a good fat bait.
It should never be forgotten, that, let the state
of the weather or the water (in respect of clear-
ness) be what it may, success in fly fishing very
much depends upon shewing the fish a good imita-
tion, both in colour and size, of that insect which
he has taken last : an exact resemblance of the
shape does not seem to be quite so essential a
requisite as that of colour, since the former varies,
according to the position of the insect either in or
upon the water ; but a small fly is usually em-
ployed when the water is fine, because the fish is
then better enabled to detect an imitation, and
because the small fly is more easily imitated. The
resemblance of each particular colour, &c. is not
required to be so exact as in the case of a large
When the fly is thrown on the stream, some
little resemblance of life must be attempted to be
given to it; this I imagine to be best accomplished
by throwing across and down the current ; the top
of the rod should in this case, after throwing, be
held over the side of the stream, on which the
fisherman stands, ready to strike ; the current will
then act against the part of the line lying on the
water, and cause the fly to sail over towards the
42 . OF FISHING FOR
same side, yet still to float down a little, as a natural
fly when struggling might be supposed to do.
When the fly is thrown into a still place, a few
gentle jerks (after it has remained a second or two
on the water) may be given to it ; but no greater
force should be used than is suflicient to move it
an inch or two at a time.
Some fishermen frequently prefer their flies made
buzz, (i. e.) representing probably flies with their
wings fluttering, or in rapid motion ; whilst others
succeed best with their flies made with the wings
to represent the appropriate natural wings at com-
parative rest. Probably a diflerence in the mode
of fishing may create this difference of choice in
the make of a fly. He whose manner of fishing
is that of throwing down the stream, close to the
bank on which he stands, and then drawing the
fly up the current, towards him, or in any manner
giving it a good deal of motion, may find that the
Buzz fly, made with a three year old cock's hackle,
is best suited to that method, on account of the
above mentioned fluttering appearance ; ^' whilst
* Any person may become convinced of this resemblance by visiting
the Serpentine in Hyde Park (or similar waters) on a warm evening of
April, and by very carefully watching the motions of the Golden Dun
(see Chap. IV. No. 10) immediately after it has quitted its nympha
state. He will then see it buzzing along upon the surface of the water
for some yards (previously to taking flight) and assuming an appear-
ance exactly like that of the buzz-hackle, ike.
TROUT AND GRAYLING. 43
the artificial wings, resembling the natural wings
of a fly partially immersed in the water, would be
more suitable to the quieter mode of fishing.
Much valuable time is frequently lost by chang-
ing the fly often. It is better to persevere with that
which produces tolerable sport, than to do so.
Rising shorty 8^c.
A fish is said to r/^e sho?^t when he does not
seize the bait voraciously and confidently, and this
want of zeal is no doubt frequently occasioned by
the imitation shewn to him being a too faint re-
semblance of the real insect.
Fish will sometimes rise freely at one moment,
and in ten minutes afterwards not a rise is to be
seen. 0?ie frequent cause of this is no doubt a want
of food to rise at. A sudden change of weather,
so slight as to be hardly perceptible to us, may
have great influence upon the insects, as we per-
ceive that it often has upon cows, asses, dogs, and
many other animals.
Another cause for diminution or total loss of
sport may be the falling of the water in the bed of
the brook or river, occasioned by the stopping of a
mill above the situation of the fisherman. I have
observed from the fishing-house very frequently a
remarkable diminution of rises in a given interval,
to occur as soon as the water began to drop in
44 OF FiSHliNG FOR
consequenc^e of such a stoppage. When this case
occurs he will, generally, do better by going below
the next mill which is working, or above that
which has just stopped, than by remaining in the
first place.
We have already pointed out in the plan or
map, and in (Chap. I. p. 4) the places in a brook
where Trout and Grayling are chiefly to be found :
such places should be carefully whipped. Two
or three throws in the same place is generally
sufficient.
We have also shewn (Chap. I. p. 2) the advan-
tage of avoiding high stations, of seeking low
ones, and even of stooping down sometimes as low
as possible.
The precaution of preventing our shadow, and
even that of the rod from falling on the water,
should also be adopted.
Throwing to a Fish just risen and killing him.
When a fish has just risen at a natural object, it
is well for the fisherman to try to throw into the
curl occasioned by the rise, and left as a mark for
him, but should the undulations have nearly died
away, before he can throw to the spot, then he
should throw, as nearly as he can judge, a yard or
two above it, and allow the flies to float down to
the supposed place of the fish ; if a rise does not
TROUT AND GRAYLING. 45
occur, it may be concluded that the fish has re-
moved without seeing the flies ; he may then try
a yard or two on each side of the place where the
curl appeared, when he may probably have a rise,
and may possibly hook the fish, provided he has
the knack of striking, which knack, like all others,
is acquired only by practice ; it must be done by a
very sudden but not a very strong stroke, a twitch
of the wrist. Having hooked him, the rod should
be carefully retained in that position which will
allow its greatest pliability to be exerted. (For
beginners to do this, it may be advisable that they
should get it up over the shoulder, and present
the but end towards the fish.) A gentle pull
must now be kept upon the fish, and he should be
led down the stream rather than up, (making use
of the reel as occasion may require to shorten the
line.) But if he runs in towards the bank upon
which the fisherman stands, it will be necessary for
him to approach the edge of the water as nearly as
possible, holding the rod with an outstretched arm
in almost an horizontal position, and if the reel is of
the usual bad construction, it will be also neces-
sary to pull in the line as quickly as possible with
the left hand, this may prevent the fish from
reaching his harbour : if it should not, he will
most likely twist the gut round roots, &c. and
break away.
46 OF FISHING FOR
To kill him, the nose must be kept up as much
as possible ; should he be very importunate and
resolute, he may be lent a little more line now and
then, but it must be promptly retaken with tre-
mendous interest, and got up as short as possible.
After various fruitless efforts to escape, which ex-
hausts his strength, the nose may be got fairly out
of the water, he may be towed gently to the side,
and the landing net passed under him.
From the time of hooking the fish, if a large
one, to the time of landing, care must be had that
the line shall not be touched by the hand, excepting
under the just mentioned circumstances ; all should
depend upon the pliability of the rod. In case a
landing net should not be at hand, the reel may be
stopped from running back, the rod stuck up in
the ground by the spike, and both hands being
disengaged, the fisherman may stoop down and
grasp him firmly behind the gills.
If a small fish of half or three quarters of a
pound is hooked fairly, he may be cautiously lifted
out by the line, but should he begin to struggle in
the least degree, he must be allowed to drop into
the water, where he will be again under the influ-
ence of the pliable rod, when he must be towed
up again and another effort made to secure him.
TROUT AND GRAYLING. 47
The principal differences between Trout and
Grayling Fishing are, that the latter requires a
more delicate hand, a quicker eye, and the use of
smaller flies upon the finest gut. The strike
must be made on the instant of the rise. The fish
may be sometimes seen, if he be of a good size and
the water bright, a few inches before he gets up
to the fly, and the fisherman must strike imme-
diately that he does so, for his motion at the
instant of seizure is too rapid to be visible.
When the fisherman comes upon a favourable
place for Grayling, he should recollect that this
fish does not follow the fly as the Trout does, and
should therefore allow it to float down the stream
in a natural way ; for should a Grayling be wait-
ing for it, and it is drawn away, " the fish will be
disappointed of that which it was the fisherman's
intention to entertain him with."
It must also be remarked that the mouth of a
Grayling is much more tender than that of the
Trout, therefore much more care in the landing is
required ; and a landing net is generally indis-
pensable, especially where the banks are high, for
the mouth will seldom bear his weight out of the
water.
Chapter IV.
OF A SELECTION OF INSECTS, AND THEIR IMITATIONS,
USED IN FLY FISHING.
Flies, &c. used in March. Flies, &:c. for April. For May. For June.
For July. For August. For September. Palmers for the Season.
It would much exceed the proper limits and pur-
pose of a Fishing Book to enter upon the details
by which even the Genera and Orders, to which
every fly here spoken of belongs, are known to the
Entomologist. Reference can easily be made, by
means of the names placed on the pages opposite
to the plates, to sources of abundant information
on these points ; but the names of some species
and varieties of Ephemera mentioned, would in
vain be sought for.
All the vulgar names known to me of each in-
sect are given for the purpose of assisting fisher-
men of various counties to recognize it. And the
order in which they are placed, is that of the
months in which they are used, as forming, per-
haps, the most convenient arrangement for his pur-
poses.
OF A SELECTION OF INSECTS, ETC. 49
The term Dun appears to have been applied in
a general sense to the different species of Ephe-
meridae, in their first winged state, (except those
of the largest size), another term being added to
designate each species, as the Blue Dun, Yelloiv
Dun, &c.
In like manner the term Spinner seems to have
been applied as a general name for the final
change or perfect state of the same insects, another
name also being added to distinguish each species,
as the Red Spinner, Great Red Spinner, &c.
It may be here added, that the Imitations of
the Palmers are, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, new ; and I beg leave to assure my brother
Anglers, that they have proved very effective.
It should also be stated that the length of the
lives of the Ephemeridae described below, is esti-
mated by the time they lived in boxes.
E
50 FLIES FOR MARCH.
No. 1. RED FLY.
Order, Neuroptera.
Family J Perlidce.
Genus, Nemoura.
No. 2. BLUE DUN. (Cock Wing, Cock Tail.)
Order, Neuroptera*
Family, Ephemeridoe.
Genus, Baefis.
No. 3. RED SPINNER.
Order, Neuroptera.
Family, Ephemeridce,
Genus, B'detis,
PI IV.
^
FLIES FOR MARCH. 51
No. 1. RED FLY.
In a forward spring this fly comes out about
the middle of February, it is in season until the
end of March, and may be used on fine but rather
windy days, until the Blue Dun (see No. 2) and
other flies come in. I have taken very large
Grayling with it.
IMITATION.
Body. The dubbing is composed of the dark
red part of squirrel's fur, mixed with
an equal quantity of claret-coloured
mohair, shewing the most claret
colour at the tail of the fly. This
is spun on, and warped with brown
silk thread.
Wings. From a ginger dun covert feather of
the mallard's wing. The pea hen
has also feathers of the exact tint.
Legs. Of a claret-coloured stained hackle.
No feather of its natural colour,
that I know of, is of the proper
shade.
To make it buzz a copper tinged dun hackle is
wound upon the above body.
52 FLIES FOR MARCH.
No. 2. BLUE DUN.
This fly lives three or four days in the state
represented ; then becomes the Red Spinner, (see
No. 3.) It begins to be plentiful in the early part
of March, or a little sooner, should the weather be
mild. When in full season it will be found on the
water, chiefly on rather cold windy days. It en-
deavours to take flight in three or four seconds
after it leaves its Nympha. On cold days it
seems to have rather more difficulty in rising
from the water than in warm weather, and conse-
quently becomes very frequently food for fishes
at the moment of its new birth.
IMITATION.
Body. Fur of a hare's ear, or face, spun on
yellow silk. When this dubbing-
spun silk is warped on, some of the
longest part of the dubbing is left
out to form legs.
Tail. Two small whiskers of a rabbit.
Wings. From a feather of the starling's wing,
stained in onion dye, (see List of
Dyes.)
Legs. If a sufficient quantity of dubbing was
not left out for the legs, whilst the
body was made, more must be pick-
ed out of it with a needle.
FLIES FOR MARCH. 33^
No. 3. RED SPINNER.
This is the name given to the Blue Dun (see
No. 2.) after it has cast off its olive brown coat.
It now appears of a bright red brown, and its
wings, which were before rather opaque, are
transparent. It lives four or five days. It sports
in the sunshine, and will be more successfully used
in warm than in cold weather ; but when the sun
becomes too powerful, this delicate insect seems to
be disabled from continuing abroad in the middle
of the day, and is to be considered more as an
evening fly. Several of the other spinners (or
perfect Ephemeridse) resemble it so nearly, that
it may be kept as a model ; the tint only varying,
(as will be subsequently shewn).
IMITATION.
Body. Brown silk, ribbed with fine gold
twist.
Tail. Two whisks of a red cock's hackle.
Wings. From a mottled grey feather of the
mallard, stained to match the colour
of the natural wings.
Legs. Plain red cock's hackle.
FLIES FOR MARCH.
No. 4. WATER CRICKET.
Order, Hemiptera.
Family, Hy drome trida;.
Genus, Velia.
Species, Ciirrens,
No. 5. GREAT DARK DRONE. (Saw Fly,
Great Dark Dun).
Order, Hymenoptera.
Family, TenthredinidcB.
Genus, Dolerus,
No. 6. COW DUNG FLY.
Order, Diptera.
Family, Muscidce,
Genus, Scatophaga.
Species, Stercoraria.
PiV.
FLIES FOR MARCH. 55
No. IV. WATER CRICKET.
This insect lives upon small flies, &c. whose
blood it sucks in a manner similar to that of the
land spider. It runs upon the water, and darts
upon its prey whilst struggling on the surface, and
is one amono^st the first insects which the Trout
finds there. In the hot summer months it is pro-
vided with wings. It may be fished with through-
out this month, and the next, on all sorts of days,
but principally when the Blue Dun is not very
abundant upon the water.
IMITATION.
Body. Orange floss silk, tied on with black
silk thread.
Legs. Are made best of one of the two longest
feathers of a peawit's topping. If
this cannot be easily procured, a
black cock's hackle will answer the
purpose. Either of these must be
wound all down the body, and the
fibres then snipped off*, as far up as is
shewn in the figure.
56 FLIES FOR MARCH.
No. 5. GREAT DARK DRONE.
This fly is found upon the grass in a very dull
(almost torpid) state, until nine or ten o'clock in
the morning; (whence its name of Drone) but
when the sun begins to warm the air, it takes
wing ; and afterwards, if there be a slight breeze,
it will be found upon the water.
There is a great variety of colour in the family.
A bright orange is sometimes seen all over the
body, a lemon colour sometimes pervades only the
middle part of the body, the knee joints are some-
times tipped with orange, sometimes orange veins ,
appear in the wings ; but the black body is by far
the most frequently met with, and therefore the fly
with this colour is usually fished with.
IMITATION.
Body. Mole fur, or black ostrich fe^her,
warped with black silk.
Wings and Legs. Made buzz with a dun
hackle, the tint lighter than that of
the natural wings. (See Chap. II.
p. 31).
When this fly is made with wings and legs
not buzz, the dun feather of the wing of the mal-
lard is used, and a grizzle hackle for legs, upon
the same body.
FLIES FOR MARCH. 57
No. 6. COW DUNG FLY.
This fly lives throughout the year. In the
3^oung state it is very abundant about the middle
of March, when vast quantities are seen upon
the water if there be a high wind. The colour
of the male, when newly hatched, is a very bright
tawny yellow, that of the female a greenish
brown ; she is rather smaller than the male, is
found in as great numbers on the water, and is as
good a fly to imitate. This insect is not in full
season after the end of April, but in very bluster-
ing days may be used all the year round.
IMITATION.
Body. Yellow worsted, mohair, or camlet,
mixed with a little dingy brown
fur from the bear, and left rather
rough, spun upon light brown silk.
Wings. From the landrail.
Legs. Of a ginger coloured hackle.
The female is made buzz thus :
Body. Olive -coloured mohair, or worsted,
spun on silk of the same colour.
Wings and Legs. Of a red cock's hackle,
changed to a brown colour by put-
ting it into a solution of copperas.
(See DyeSj Chap. IL p. 33, article 2).
68 FLIES FOR MARCH.
No. 7. PEACOCK FLY.
Ordery Coleoptera.
Family y Staphylinidce.
Genus y Lathrobium.
Species, Elongatum.
No. 8. DUN DRAKE. (March Brown, called in Wales
the Cob Fly.)
Order y Neuroptera.
Family, Ephemerid(2.
GenuSy B'detis,
No. 9. GREAT RED SPINNER, (or Light Mackerel.)
Order, Neuroptera.
Family, Ephemeridce.
Genus, Bdetis.
PI. VI.
/
FLIP:S for march. 69
No. 7. PEACOCK FLY.
This small beetle is extremely abundant on
warm sunny days. Its usual habit on alighting
is to gather up the wings under its short wing
scales, a habit like that of the earwig, which flies
about in Autumn ; but when it falls upon water,
it cannot always succeed in doing so ; then there-
fore the wings lie nearly flat upon its back. How-
ever fine the day may be, and however clear the
water, some sport may still be expected with this
fly, until the end of May, but it is most success-
fully used on a hot gloomy day.
IMITATION.
Body. Brown peacock's herl, dressed with
mulberry-coloured silk.
Wings. The darkest part of a wing feather of
the starling.
Legs. A hackle stained dark purple; ap-
pearing black when looked down
upon ; but when held up to the
light, having a most beautiful dark
tortoiseshell hue. (See Dyes, Chap,
IL p. 34, article 5).
60 FLIES FOR MARCH.
No. 8. DUN DRAKE.
The pupa or nympha of this fly seems to
require a warmer day to enable it to rise to the
surface of the water, and to change to a fly, than
is required for the similar rise and metamorphosis
of the Blue Dun's nympha (No. 2) ; the fly lives
three days in the state represented in the figure,
then changes into the Great Red Spinner, (see fig.
9). The male has a chocolate hue, and the female
a green brown ; it generally appears in great num-
bers upon the streams, where it is found towards
the latter end of March, and is very eagerly de-
voured by the Trout. It continues in season until
the beginning of May ; and although it may oc-
casionally be found later, I do not recommend
the use of it after that time.
IMITATION.
Body. Fur of the hare's face ribbed over with
olive silk, and tied with brown.
Tail. Two stands of a partridge feather.
Wings. Feather of the pheasant's wing, which
may be found of the exact shade.
Legs. A feather from the back of a par-
tridge.
FLIES FOR MARCH. 61
No. 9. GREAT RED SPINNER.
The Dun Drake (fig. 8.) changes into this spin-
ner, and enjoys for three or four days its newest
state and title. It seems to be in season much
longer than the Dun Drake, and may even be
used on warm evenings during most of the summer
months ; yet although the Dun Drake is not
seen on the water after the middle of May, it
would seem that it must still continue to come
into existence afterwards, otherwise the Great Red
Spinner could be in season only three or four days
longer than the Dun Drake.*
IMITATION.
Body. Hog's down died red-brown, (or orange
and brown floss silk mixed), spun on
brown silk. It is ribbed with fine
gold twist.
Tail. Two long whisks of a bright amber
red stained hackle.
Wings. From a feather of the starling's wing.
Legs. A bright amber red stained hackle.
* Although I have spoken of this Spinner as appearing throughout
most of the summer months, I am by no means certain that the indivi-
duals which are produced later than the middle of May, may not be a
distinct although very similar species of Baetis.
62! FLIES FOR APRIL.
No. 10. GOLDEN DUN MIDGE.
Order, Diptera.
Family J Tipulidce.
Genus, Chironomus,
Species, Plumosus.
No. 11. SAND FLY.
Order, Trichoptera.
Family, PhryganidcE.
Genus, Phryganea.
No. 12. STONE PLY.
Order, Neuroptera.
Family, PerlidcE.
Genus, Perla.
Species, Bicaudata.
n. VII
FLIES FOR APRIL. 63
No. 10. GOLDEN DUN MIDGE.
The male lias two feathered horns which the
female has not. It seems to require a warm day
to disengage itself from its water nympha. On
such days very great sport may be had with it
until the end of May.
IMITATION.
Body. Olive floss silk ribbed with gold twist,
and tied with dun silk thread.
Wings. From the palest feather of a young
starling.
Legs. A plain dun hackle.
64 FLIES FOR APRIL.
No. 11. SAND FLY.
This fly comes from a water larva. It is highly
extolled by Mr. Bainbridge, who says, '^ that it
may be reckoned as one of the best flies for
affording diversion which can possibly be selected,
for it may be used successfully at all hours of the
day, from April to the end of September, and is
equally alluring to the Trout and Grayling."
(Fly Fisher's Guide, p. 143). My own experience
leads me to recommend the use of it during April
and May, on days when there is no abundance of
any particular insect on the water. A fly very
like it is used in September and October, called
the Cinnamon Fly.
IMITATION.
Body. Of the sandy coloured fur from the
hare's neck, spun on silk of the
same colour.
Wings. From the landrail's wing made full.
Legs. From a light ginger feather from the
neck of a hen.
This fly is made buzz with a feather from the
under side of the wing of the throstle, wound upon
the above body.
F J.IKS FOR APRIL. 65
No. 12. STONE FLY.
This fly comes from a water larva. It is heavy
in its flight, but uses its legs with extreme activity,
and is generally found amongst the stones, or close
to the sides of the water. I have kept an indivi-
dual alive for three weeks, during which time it
drank much water. It is in season from the
beginning of April until the end of May, and
should be used in the rapid parts of streams, and
on windy days where the water is rough.
IMITATION.
Body. Fur of hare's ear mixed with yellow
worsted or camlet, ribbed over with
yellow silk leaving most yellow at
the tail.
Tail. A mottled stand or two of a partridge
feather.
Wings. Feather from the pheasant s wing.
Legs. A hackle stained greenish-brown.
Horns. Two rabbit's whiskers.
66 FLIES FOR APRIL
No. 13. GRAVEL BED. (Spider Fly.)
Order, Diptera.
Family, Tipulidce.
Genus J Anisomera.
Species, Ohscura.
No. 14. GRANNOM. (Green Tail.)
Order, Trichoptera.
Family, Phryganidce.
Genus, Tinodes.
No. 15. YELLOW DUN.
Order, Neuroj^tera.
Family, EphemcridcB,
Genus, Bdetis.
PI VIJI'
(^
FLIES FOR APRIL. 67
No. 13. GRAVEL BED.
This fly is not upon all waters : upon those
where it is found it is extremely numerous on
fine days ; but in cold weather it seeks shelter
amongst the larger stones of the gravel. It may
be used all the day. It comes in about the middle
of April and lasts about three weeks.
IMITATION.
Body. Dark dun, or lead-coloured silk thread
dressed very fine.
Wings. From the underside of a feather of the
woodcock's wing.
Legs. A black cock's hackle rather long,
wound twice, only, round the body.
To make it buzz, a dark dun cock's hackle tinged
brown may be used.
68 FLIES FOR APRIL.
No. 14. GRANNOM.
This fly comes from a water larva, and is upon
the surface at about the same season as the Gravel
Bed, (No. 13), and chiefly in the morning and
evening. It lasts a little longer. The green tint
of its body is derived from the colour of the eggs.
It lays these upon the water. There are several
varieties, but the figure (14) represents the most
common kind, and I have taken many of these
flies out of the stomachs of Trout, even in August,
which had a green colour at the tail of their
bodies, and were as nearly as possible of the same
size and general tint as those of April.
IMITATION.
Body. Fur of hare's face left rough, spun on
brown silk. A little green floss silk
may be worked in at the tail to re-
present the bunch of eggs there.
Wings. Feather from the partridge's wing, and
made very full.
Legs. A pale ginger hen's hackle.
Made buzz with a feather from the back of the
partridge's neck, wound upon the above body.
FLIES FOR APRIL. 69
No. 15. YELLOW DUN.
This fly proceeding from a water nymplia, lives
in the form shewn about three days. It is on
the water generally from ten o'clock until three.
IMITATION.
Body. Yellow mohair, mixed with a little pale
blue fur from a mouse. Or yellow
silk thread well waxed with cobbler's
wax to give it an olive tint.
Wings. The lightest part of a feather from a
young starling's wing.
Legs. A light yellow dun hackle.
To make it buzz, a lighter dun hackle than is
represented in the figure, is wound upon the same
body. /
This Yellow Dun changes to a Spinner of rather
a lighter and yellower brown, than that which
the Blue Dun (No. 2) turns to, is very nearly of
the same size, and lives nine days. It is to be
used on warm evenings. Its imitation may
consequently be made of the same materials as
that of the Red Spinner, (see No. 3), only choos-
ing lighter tints.
70 FLIES FOR APRIL.
No. 16. IRON BLUE DUN.
Order y Neuroptera.
Family, Ephemeridce.
Genus, Bdetis.
No. 17. JENNY SPINNER. (Spinning Jenny.)
Order, Neuroptera.
Family, Ephemeridce.
Genus, Bdetis.
No. 18. HAWTHORN FLY.
Order, Diptera.
Family, Tipulidce,
Genus, Bibio.
Species, Marci.
nn.-
%.
t
(^
c
/6>
FLIES iOR APRIL. 71
No. 16. IRON BLUE DUN
After emerging from its water nymplia, this fly
remains about two days in the state shewn, and
then changes to the Jenny Spinner, (see No. 17).
It is one of the smallest flies worth the Angler's
notice, but not the least useful. The male has a
brownish red crown or cap on his head. The fe-
male is also crowned, but her cap is too small to
be easily seen. It is in season from the latter end
of April until the middle of June, and is on the
water chiefly on cold days ; influenced by eflects
similar to those which act upon the Blue Dun,
(see No. 2).
^ ^ IMITATION.
Body. Blue fur from a mole. A little reddish
brown floss silk may be tied on with
dun silk for the head.
Tail. A whisk or two out of a dun hackle.
Wings. From a feather of the under side of the
cormorant's wing ; but as this bird is
scarce, and has only a few feathers
under the wing, a very good sub-
stitute may be found in a feather
from the breast of the water hen \ the
tip of which must be used.
Legs. A very small dun hackle, or some of
the dubbing picked out of the body.
It is difficult to find a hackle feather of the tint
proper to make this fly buzz.
72 FLIES FOR APRIL.
No. 17. JENNY SPINNER.
This is the name given to the Iron Blue (No.
16) in his new dress, -and it lives four or five days
after the metamorphosis, sporting in the still sum-
mer atmosphere. The Iron Blue must be coming
out of its nympha at the same time that this fly is
in season ; the Iron Blue is however found on
the water chiefly on cold days, from the end of
April until the middle of June.^ The Jenny
Spinner lasts all the Summer, is out on mild days,
particularly towards the evening, and is a killing
fly even when the water is extremely fine.
IMITATION.
Body. White floss silk wound round the shank
of the hook, &c. and tied on at the
head and tail with brown silk, which
must be shewn.
Tail. A whisk or two of a light dun hackle.
Wings and Legs Are best imitated by making
them buzz ; for which purpose the
lightest dun hackle that can be pro-
cured should be used.
* A little dark dun with a brown head, not exactly similar to, but
very much like the Iron Blue, is found in August, and then a Spinner
like the Jenny Spinner, has an orange coloured head, and the extremity
of its body a lighter colour.
FLIES FOR APRIL. 73
No. 18. HAWTHORN FLY.
This fly is by some called the black caterpillar.
It has good wings, and makes good use of them.
It may be seen about the last week in April, when
the air is warm, sporting up and down by the sides
of hedges, and may then be used. There are three
very common species, one of the size represented,
another much larger, and another much smaller.
The female of each has dark wings, (almost black) ;
whereas those of the male are a very pale blue,
(almost white). Her head is very much smaller
than that of the male, and her body thicker. The
male is most abundant. The figure (18) repre-
sents him.
IMITATION.
Body. Black ostrich herl.
Wings. From a feather of the sea swallow, or
dotterel.
Legs. A black cock's hackle ; or one of the
two largest feathers from a peawit's
top-knot.
The fly cannot very easily be made buzz, unless
the female is imitated, in which case a black
hackle wound over the above mentioned black
ostrich herl will answer the purpose.
74 FLIES FOR MAY.
No. 19. LITTLE YELLOW MAY DUN.
Order, Neuroptera.
Family, Ephemeridce.
Genus, Bdetis.
No. 20. BLACK GNAT.
Order, Diptera.
Family, Empidcs.
Genus, Ramphamyia.
No. 21. DOWNHILL FLY. (Oak Fly, Ash Fly,
Cannon Fly, Down looker, Woodcock Fly,
DowNHEAD Fly.)
Oi'der, Diptera.
Family, Rhagionidce.
Genus, Rhagio,
Species, Scolopaceus.
pt.x.
\
FLIES FOR MAY. 75
No. 19. LITTLE YELLOW MAY DUN.
This fly proceeding from a water nymplia re-
mains in the state represented about three days,
then changes to a very light red, or amber-coloured,
spinner. It lasts (as shewn) in season until the
Green Drake (No. 28) comes in at the end of
May, or beginning of June.
IMITATION.
Body. Pale ginger-coloured fur from behind
the hare's ear, ribbed over with
yellow silk thread.
Tail. One or two whisks from a dun hackle.
Wings. Mottled feather from the mallard, stain-
ed olive. (See list of Dyes, Chap.
III. p. 34, article 4.)
Legs. A light dun hackle also stained yellow-
ish in the same dye.
To make it buzz, the mottled feather of the
mallard stained olive, may be used and tied on in
the manner shewn in the imitation of the Green
Drake, (No. 28.)
The Light Amber Spinner, to which this fly
changes, lives in its new state about four days. It
is used successfully on the evenings of warm days.
76 FLIES FOR MAY.
No. 20. BLACK GNAT.*
This insect skims the brook all the day long in
immense crowds, flying at great speed for about
ten yards up and down the stream. When
night approaches, or on cold wet days, it may be
found on the grass at the water side. The sto-
machs of Trout have been found nearly gorged
with this fly. It is in season from the beginning
of May until the end of June.
IMITATION.
Body. Black ostrich herl.
Wmos. The dark part of a feather from the
starling.
Legs. A black hackle.
To make it buzz, a light dun hackle tinged with
brown may be wound upon the above body.
* This is not a Gnat, although commonly called one by fishermen.
FLIES FOR MAY. 77
No. 21. DOWNHILL FLY.
This fly may be found upon the trunks of any
kind of tree or post near the water side. As soon
as it alights, it turns its head downward. It is
in season throughout May and June, and may
be used with most success on windy days.
IMITATION.
Body. Orange floss silk tied with ash-coloured
silk thread, which may be shewn at
the tail and shoulders.
Wings. From a feather of the woodcock.
Legs. A furnace hackle, (i. e. a red cock's
hackle, with a black list up the
middle, and tinged with black also at
the extremities of the fibres). This
should be warped all down the body,
and the fibres snipped ofl" again
nearly up to where the wings are set
on, leaving a sufficient quantity for
the legs uncut off'.
78 FLIES FOR MAY.
No 22. LITTLE BROWN DUN, (Turkey Brown.)
Order, Neuroptera.
Family, Ephemeridce,
Genus, Ephemera.
No. 23. LITTLE DARK SPINNER.
Order, Neuroptera.
Family, Ephemeridce.
Genus, Ephemera.
No. 24. YELLOW SALLY.
Order, Neuroptera,
Family, Perlidce.
Genus, Perla.
Species, Lutea.
i^Xf
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FLIES FOR MAY. 79
No. 22. LITTLE BROWN DUN.
This fly comes from a water larva, lives two
days as shewn, and then turns to the Little Dark
Spinner, (see No. 23). It is to be used on cold
days ; is a very good fly upon some waters ; and
is in season from about the time that the March
Brown becomes scarce, until the end of June.
IMITATION.
Body. Dark brown floss silk ribbed with
purple silk thread.
Tail. A whisk or two of a red cock's hackle,
stained as for the legs.
Wings. Tip of the brownest feather from a
partridge's tail.
Legs. Red cock's hackle stained a good brown
with copperas.
To make it buzz, a feather from the grouse may
be tied on, in the manner shewn in the imitation of
the Green Drake, No. 28.
80 FLIES FOR MAY.
No. 23. LITTLE DARK SPINNER.
This is the metamorpliosis of the Turkey Brown,
(No. 22.) It is a most killing fly just at the be-
ginning of dusk.
IMITATION.
Body. Mulberry-coloured floss silk ribbed over
with purple silk thread.
Tail. Three or four whisks out of the stained
hackle feather which is used for the
legs.
Wings. From a feather of the starling's wing.
Legs. From a purple stained hackle which
shines with a dark tortoiseshell tint,
when held up between the eye and
the light.
FLIES FOR MAY,
No. 24. YELLOW SALLY.
This fly comes from a water nympha. It has
been believed by some persojis to last in season
only six days, but it continues for six weeks or
more, and may be used profitably on very hot
days, when it is busily employed laying its eggs
upon the water.
IMITATION.
Body. Any yellow fur ribbed with fawn co-
loured silk.
Wings. From a wing feather of a white hen
stained yellow.
Legs. From an extremely pale ginger hackle,
or a white feather died of a yellowish
ginger tint.
Cr
82 FLIES FOR MAY.
No. 25. SKY BLUE.
Order, Neuroptera.
Family J EphemeridcB.
Genus f Bile Us.
No. 26. FERN FLY. (Soldier.)
Order y Coleoptera,
Family, Teleplioridce.
Genus, Telephorus.
Species, Livadus.
No. 27. ALDER FLY. (Orl Fly.)
Order, Neuroptera.
Family, Sialidce.
Genus, Sialis.
Species, Niger.
n.xn
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FLIES FOR MAY. 83
No. 25. SKY BLUE.
This fly comes from a water nympha, maintains
its present state of existence two or three days, and
then changes to a much lighter fly or spinner,
which lives three or four days,
IMITATION.
Body. Pale ginger mohair mixed with light
blue fur.
Tail. A whisk or two of the hackle used for
the legs.
Wings. From a feather of the sea swallow, or
of a very light blue dun hen.
Legs. Hackle stained a pale yellow.
The body of the above mentioned spinner is
more brilliant than that of the Sky Blue; the
wings perfectly transparent, and almost colourless :
it is very little used.
84 FLIES FOR MAY.
No. 26. FERN FLY.
Two of the most common varieties of this genus
are known by the appellations of the soldier and
the sailor, one wears a red the other a blue coat,
both are much admired by fish, and taken until
the end of July, principally on hot days. They
live upon other insects, such as the aphides, or
plant-lice.
IMITATION.
Body. Orange floss silk.
Wings. The darkest part of a feather from the
starling's wing.
Legs. A red cock's hackle.
To make it buzz, a furnace-hackle (see p. 77)
is wound upon the above body. It kills well thus
made.
FLIES FOR MAY. ' 85
No. 27. ALDER FLY.
This fly comes from a water nymplia. It is
earlier on some waters than on others. It lays its
eggs upon the leaves of trees which overhang the
water, and delights to skim the brook, but it may
also be found at some distance from it. It is
in season from about the last week in May until
the end of June.
IMITATION.
Body. Dark mulberry floss silk, or peacock's
herl, tied with black silk.
Wings. From a feather of a brown hen's wing.
Legs. Dark amber stained hackle, or in case
of need a black cock's hackle will
answer the purpose.
To make it buzz, a dark dun hackle tinged
brown may be wound upon the above body.
06 FLIES FOR J UN E.
No. 28. GREEN DRAKE. (May Fly, Cadow.)
Order, Neuroptera.
Family, Ephemeridce.
Genus, Ephemera,
Species, Vulgata.
No. 29. GREY DRAKE. (Glossy-winged Drake),
Order, Neuroptera.
Family, Ephemeridce.
Genus, Ephemera.
Species, Vulgata.
FLIES FOR JUNE. 87
No. 28. GREEN DRAKE.
This fly proceeding from a water nympha lives
three or four days as shewn ; then the female
changes to the Grey Drake, (No. 29) and the male
to the Black Drake, (see p. 89). The Green
Drake cannot be said to be in season quite three
weeks on an average. Its season depends greatly
upon the state of the weather; and it will be
found earlier upon the slowly running parts of
the stream, (such as mill dams) than on the rapid
places.
IMITATION.
Body. The middle part is of pale straw-
coloured floss silk, ribbed with silver
twist. The extremities are of a
brown peacock's herl,tied with light
brown silk thread.
Tail. Three rabbit's whiskers.
Wings and Legs. Made buzz from a mottled
feather of the mallard, stained olive.
(See Dyes, Chap. II. p. 35, article 4.)
To make it with wings in their state of rest,
part of a feather similarly stained must be used,
and a pale brown partridge feather must be
wrapped round the same body under the wings.
88 FLIES FOR J U N E.
No. 29. GREY DRAKE.
This is the metamorphosis of the female Green
Drake. She lives three or four days, and is
caught by the fish whilst laying her eggs on the
water. She lasts a few days longer than the
Green Drake, and is to be fished with in the
evening. Some fishermen prefer other flies in
season to this ; when well made, it will however
furnish excellent sport, especially towards the
evening. The buzz form is intended to imitate it
when struggling and half drowned.
IMITATION.
Body. Tlie middle part is of white floss silk,
ribbed over neatly with silver twist.
The extremities are of a brown pea-
cock's lierl tied with brown silk
thread.
Tail. Three rabbit's whiskers.
Wings and Legs. Made buzz from a mottled
feather of the mallard, stained a faint
purple.
To make it with wings at rest, the same pale
purple stained feather may be used for them, and
a dark purple stained hackle for the legs, upon the
above body.
FLIES FOR JUNE. 89
THE BLACK DRAKE
Is the male Green Drake metamorphosed. Its
term of existence is about the same as that of
the female above mentioned. It is smaller than the
female, and is erroneously supposed by some, who
call him the Death Drake, to kill her. He is
never in season without her; but is not here re-
presented because he is not so fat and tempting
a bait.
90 FLIES FOR JUNE.
No. 30. MARLOW BUZZ. (Hazel Fly, Coch-a-
BONDDu, Shorn Fly).
Order, Coleoptera.
Family, Chrysornelidce.
Genus, Chrysomela.
Species, Populi.
No 31. DARK MACKEREL.
Order, Neuroptera.
Family, Ephemeridce.
Genus, Ephemera.
^ixiv
FLIES FOR JUNE. 91
No. 30. MARLOW BUZZ.
This insect comes from a pupa which inhabits
the earth. It is very abundant in hot weather at
the water side, from the beginning until the
middle of June, flying about amongst poplar trees,
and feeding upon the leaves.
IMITATION.
Body. Black ostrich herl twisted with peacock
herl and black silk thread.
Wings and Legs. Made buzz with a dark
furnace cock's hackle. (See p. 77.)
There are other varieties of the Red Beetle, and
Lady Bird, which may be imitated in a similar
manner, and used when numerous.
To make it with wings at rest, the darkest part
of the starling's wing, and a red cock's hackle
may be wound upon the above body in the same
way as for the Fern Fly, No. 26.
92 FLIES FOR JUNE.
No. 31. DARK MACKEREL.
This is the name given to the insect represented
by the figure on the right hand side of the plate,
after it has changed from a dark kind of Green
Drake shewn on the left side. Both the male and
female change to the dark brown, but the former
is the smallest fly. Their habits are similar in every
respect to the Green and the Grey Drake, (Nos. 28
and 29). Sir H. Davy says, that " the Green
Ephemera, or May Fly, lays her eggs sitting on the
water." (Salmonia, p. 249.) My observations lead
to the conviction that the Green Ephemera lays
no eggs, (being an imperfect insect) but that her
metamorphosis, the Dark Mackerel, lays eggs
(whilst rising and falling, &c.)^ This fly continues
in season until the end of June, or for a few days
in July.
IMITATION.
Body. Dark mulberry floss silk, ribbed with
gold twist.
Tail. Three rabbit's whiskers.
Wings. From a brown mottled feather of the
mallard, which hangs from the back
over a part of the wing.
Legs. A purple dyed hackle, appearing a
dark tortoise-shell hue, when held
between the eye and the light. (See
Dyes, Chap. IL p. 35, article 5.)
* The egg of this fly and that of all the last metamorphoses
FLIES FORJUNE. 93
of the EphcmeridiE, here spoken of, sinks to the bottom of
the water, and is there, in a few days, hatched into a white
grig ; this larva undergoes several transmutations before it be-
comes a nympha, which, rising to the surface at its appointed
season, bursts the case or skin which incloses it, (at the shoul-
ders), displays beautiful wings, quits its old husk, and, after
the lapse of a second or two, generally flies to the nearest
terra firma, where it remains in solitude and shelter (from the
wind and sun-beams) for about two days, (see fig. 22, plate
11.) It then undergoes its last metamorphosis, and enters
upon its imago or perfect state, (see fig. 23), changing the
whole of its envelopes, even those of its fine tails and legs.
The tails and the two fore legs of the male increase to about
double their former length, those of the female receive an ac-
cession of not quite one third. The colour is generally altered,
the wings become shining and transparent. The male carries
two large stemmata upon his head, and a pair of callipers at
the end of his body, which two peculiarities chiefly distinguish
his appearance from the female. He is also usually rather
smaller than she is. He may be seen merrily dancing, as it
were, up and down in the air in vast crowds, frequently near
a bush by the water side, whilst the female is to be discovered
busily employed rising and falling and hovering over the
water, and sometimes touching the surface and making use of
her long tails to spring up again. It is supposed that she lays
her eggs at this moment.
The Larva and Nympha of the Genus Baetis have three
tails, although the fly which comes immediately out of the
Nympha has only two.
94 FLIES FOR JULY.
No. 32. PALE EVENING DUN.
Order, Neuroptera.
Family, Ephemeridce.
Genus, Cloeon.
No. 33. JULY DUN.
Order, Neuroptera.
Family, Ephemeridce,
Genus, Ephemera.
No. 34. GOLD EYED GAUZE WING.
Order, Neuroptera.
Family, HemerobiidcB.
Genus, Hemerobius.
Species, Perla.
:x.
Pl.XV.
J.?
FLIES FOR JULY. 95
No. 32. PALE EVENING DUN.
This fly comes from a water nympha, lives two
or three days as shewn, and then changes to a
brighter yellow bodied fly. It may be strongly
recommended as a fly which can be used when the
water is fine.
IMITATION.
Body. Yellow martin's fur spun on pale fawn-
coloured silk thread.
Wings. From a very fine grained feather of the
starling's wing, stained rather lighter
than that which is used for the
Green Drake, No. 28.
Legs. Pale dun hackle.
The brighter yellow bodied fly to which this
changes lives four or five days, is fainter coloured,
and more transparent in the wing. The change
is not^given, as the Dark Mackerel (No. 31) is
very much preferable for the evening.
QQ. FLIES FOR JULY.
No. 33. JULY DUN.
This fly comes from a water nympha, lives three
or four days as shewn, and then changes to a very
small Dark Spinner. It affords a great treat to
the Trout and Grayling, and lasts until the August
Dun takes its place, in the beginning of August.
' IMITATION.
Body. Mole's fur, and pale yellow mohair
mixed and spun on yellow silk.
Tail. Two or three whisks of a dark dun
hackle.
Wings. Dark part of a feather from the star-
ling's wing, stained darker in strong
onion dye.
Legs. Dark dun hackle.
To make it buzz, a lighter hackle may be wound
upon the above body.
The tint of its metamorphosis is the same as that
of the Dark Mackerel, Ne. 3L It will catch well
late in the evening.
FLIES FOR JULY.
No. 34. GOLD EYED GAUZE WING.
This is rather a scarce insect upon some waters,
but where it is found affords great sport on windy
days. Both larger and smaller individuals than
that represented of this green sort are to be found,
and also a brown kind much larger and with dark
round spots upon it. The eye possesses wonderful
brilliancy. It may be used as soon as the Green
Drake goes out, for about three weeks, (i. e.) to-
wards the middle or end of this month.
IMITATION.
Body. Very pale green floss silk, tfed on with
silk thread of the same colour.
Wings and Legs. The palest blue dun hackle
which can be procured.
u
98 FLIES FOR JULY
No. 35. FROG HOPPER. (Pale Brown Bent
Hopper, Wren Tail.)
Order, Hemoptera.
Family y Cercopidce.
Genus, Cercopis.
Species, Spumaria.
No. 36. RED ANT.
Order, Hymenoptera.
Family, Formicidce.
Genus, Formica.
Species, Rufa.
No. 37. SILVER HORNS. (Black SilverTwist.)
Order, Trichoptera.
Family, Leptocerida.
Genus, Leptocerus.
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FLIESFORJULY. «©9
No. 35. FROG HOPPER.
There are many varieties of this insect ; the pale
brown, the dark brown, and the greenish blue, are
the most common. It is very busy on hot days
hopping about and taking flights of about twenty
yards, and this is the time to use it, for it some-
times drops short and falls upon the water. In
colder weather it is found upon the long grass
principally ; not much on the water. On very
cold days it seems to seek shelter near the roots of
the grass.
IMITATION.
Body. Ginger-coloured fur ribbed with gold
twist.
Wings and Legs. Feather from a wren's tail.
100 FLIES FOK J ULY.
No. 3G. RED ANT.
This insect is very abundant on the water after
a swarm or flight of Ants and Emmets, the time of
which is uncertain. There are two sorts; the
black and the red of the size shewn, and two sorts
much smaller which are used later in the season.
IMITATION.
Body. Peacock's herl tied with red-brown silk.
Wings. From a feather of the light part of a
starling's wing.
Legs. A red cock's hackle.
The Black Ant is made of peacock's herl, and
black ostrich mixed, for the body. Wings from
the darkest part of the starling's wing, and legs
a black cock's hackle.
FLIES FOR JULY. 101
No. 37. SILVER HORNS.
This fly is extremely abundant upon some
waters, and is well taken both by the Trout and
Grayling until the end of August throughout the
day, and principally in showery weather. The
figure represents the female. The male has black
horns.
IMITATION.
Body. Black ostrich herl tied with black silk,
and dressed off.
Wjngs. Feather from a wing of the cock black-
bird.
Legs. Small black cock's hackle.
Horns. Grey feather of the mallard.
To make it buzz, the body is ribbed with silver
twist upon the black ostrich herl, and a black
hackle wrapt all down.
102 FLIES FOR AUGUST
No. 38. AUGUST DUN.
Order, Neuroptera.
Family, Ephemerida.
Genus, Bdetis.
No. 39. ORANGE FLY.
Order, Hymenoptera.
Family, Tclmeumonida.
Genus, Cryptis.
No. 40. CINNAMON FLY.
Order, Trichoptera.
Family, Phryganidis.
Genus, Phryganea.
PL XVII.
-1^
'P
40
FLIES FOR AUGUST. 103
No. 38. AUGUST DUN.
This fly comes from a water nympha, lives two or
three days as shewn, then changes to a Red Spin-
ner. It is quite as important a fly for this month
as the March Brown is for March. It is in
season from the beginning of August to the
middle of September.
IMITATION.
Body. Brown floss silk ribbed with yellow
silk thread.
Tail. Two rabbit's whiskers.
Wings. Feather of a brown hen's wing.
Legs. Plain red hackle stained brown.
It is made buzz with a grouse feather wound
upon the above body.
The Red Spinner, to which it changes, is very
similar to that which the Blue Dun (No. 2) turns
to, and is a good fly on a mild evening.
104 FLIES FOR AliGUST.
No. 39. ORANGE FLY.
This is one of the best flies that can be used
both for Trout and Grayling. There are a great
many varieties, some larger, some smaller than the
representation. It may be used all day. Al-
though discovered alive with difficulty, it is found
abundant in the stomachs of the fish. It is fur-
nished with an apparatus called the sting, used
for the purpose of piercing the skin of caterpillars,
in which it deposits its eggs, the grub from which
grows in, and ultimately kills the insect in which
it was hatched.
IMITATION.
Body. Orange floss silk tied on with black
silk thread.
Wings. Dark part of the starling's wing, or
feather of a hen blackbird.
Legs. A very dark furnace hackle.
FLIES FOR AUGUST. 105
No. 40. CINNAMON FLY.
This fly comes from a water pupa. There are
many varieties. The larger variety being stronger
can resist the force of rain and wind better than
that represented, and are therefore not so well
known to the fish. It should be used in a heavy
shower, and also on a windy day. In both cases
very great diversion may be expected with it.
IMITATION.
Body. Pale ginger or fawn-coloured floss silk,
tied on with thread of the same
colour.
Wings. Feather of a yellow brown hen's wing.
Legs. A very pale ginger hackle.
It is made buzz with a grouse feather or a red
brown hackle stained with copperas, and tied on
the same body.
106 FLIES FOR SEPTEMBER.
No. 41. BLUE BOTTLE.
Order, Diptera.
Family, Muscidce.
Genus, Musca.
Species, Vomitoria.
No. 42. WHIRLING BLUE DUN.
Order, Neuroptera.
Family, Ephemeridce.
Genus, B'detis.
No. 43. LITTLE PALE BLUE DUN.
Order, Neuroptera.
Family, Ephemeridce.
Genus, Cloeon.
No. 44. WILLOW FLY.
Order, Neuroptera.
Family, Perlidce.
Genus, Nemoura.
Species, Nebulosa.
PlXVIll
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FLIES FOR SEPTEMBER. 107
No. 41. BLUE BOTTLE.
This and the house fly become blind and weak
in this month, and are therefore frequently driven
on to the water on windy days, when very good
sport may be expected with them. The Blue
Bottle is perhaps to be preferred. It may be used
until cold weather sets in.
IMITATION.
Body. Bright blue floss silk tied with light
brown silk thread.
Wings. Feather of the starling's wing.
Legs. Black hackle from a cock wrapped
down the principal part of the body.
To make it buzz, a dun hackle may be wound
upon the above body.
108 FLIES FOR SEPTEMBER.
No. 42. WHIRLING BLUE DUN.
This fly comes from a water nympha, lives
about three days as shewn, then turns to a Light
Red Spinner. It is in season until the middle of
October, and on the water chiefly in blustering
cold weather. It has been supposed to be a second
edition of the Yellow Dun of April. If compared
with that it will be found rather smaller and more
of a ginger-colour.
1 MIT ATI ox.
Body. Squirrel's red brown fur mixed with
yellow mohair, tied with yellow silk
thread well waxed.
Tail. One or two whisks of a pale ginger
hackle.
Wings. Feather from a starling's wing.
Legs. Pale ginger hackle.
The Red Spinner lives three or four days. In
making it reference may be had to fig. 3, plate 4.
It must be rather lighter than that figure.
FLIES FOR SEPTEMBER. 109
No. 43. LITTLE PALE BLUE DUN.
This fly comes from a water nympha, lives two
or three days as shewn, then changes to a more
delicate fly than that represented. It is upon the
water at the same time as the Whirling Blue, (No.
42) and lasts until the end of the fishing season.
It is very abundant, and taken equally well by
both Trout and Grayling.
IMITATION.
Body. Very pale blue fur mixed with a very
little yellow mohair.
Wings. Feather from the dotterel or sea swal-
low.
Legs. The palest blue hackle to be had.
To make it buzz, a dotterel feather only may
be wound upon the same body.
The metamorphosis of this fly has very transpa-
rent wings, [t is too delicate to be imitated.
110 FLIES FOR SEPTEMBER.
No. 44. WILLOW (OR WITHY) FLY.
This fly comes from a water pupa. It is ex
tremely abundant during this month and the next,
and even later in the season. On very fine days
it may even be found on the water in February.
It generally flutters across the stream, and is best
imitated buzz fashion.
IMITATION.
Body. Mole's fur spun upon yellow silk.
Wings and Legs. A dark dun cock's hackle
strongly tinged a copper-colour.
PALMERS FOR THE FISHING SEASON. Ill
No. 45. RED PALMER.
This is the caterpillar of the Arctia caga or
Tiger Moth. I have found this palmer more
abundantly than any other early in the Spring,
and can recommend use of it to be made as soon
as the water is fit for fishing after a flood ; also on
windy days.
IMITATION.
Peacock herl with a red hackle from a cock
wrapped over it, and tied with dark brown silk
thread.
No. 46. BROWN PALMER.
This is the caterpillar of the Spilosoma lubrice-
peda, or common Ermine Moth.
It will catch fish throughout the fishing season,
and may be used with most success after a flood
and on windy days.
IMITATION.
Mulberry-coloured worsted spun on brown silk
thread, and a brown stained hackle of a cock
wrapped over the whole of it.
112 PALMERS FOR THE FISHING SEASON.
No. 47. BLACK PALMER.
This is tlie caterpillar of the Laciocampa ruloi,
or Fox Moth.
It is used at the same times as the Brown
Palmer.
IMITATION.
Black ostrich herl ribbed with gold twist, and
a red cock's hackle wrapped over it.
FINIS.
INDEX.
Alder Fly, 85
Amber colour, recipe for dy-
ing, 36
Art of throwing a fly, 38
Artificial fly, method of mak-
ing an, 28 ; should closely
resemble the natural fly,
13—41
Ash Fly, 74
August Dun, 103
Basket, or Creel, 34
Bees and Wasps not taken by
Trout, 12
Bent Hopper, 98
Black Drake, 89
Black Gnat, 76
Black Silver Twist (Fly), 98
Blue Bottle, 107
Blue Dun, 52
Blythe (river), 5
Bottom-line (or foot line), 26
Boxes and Books for flies, 33
Brown, Rev. Thomas, 7
Brown colour, recipe for dy-
ing, 34 — 36
Buzz Flies, method of mak-
ing, 30 ; manner of using, 42
Cadow, 86
Cannon Fly, 74
Carlisle Hook, 27
Casting-line (or Bottom), 26
Choice of a fly for fishing,
40 ; of weather, 39
Cinnamon Fly, 105
Cob Fly, 58
Coch-a-bonddu, 90
Cock Wing, 50
Cock Tail, 50
Colours of the Grayling, 16;
of the Trout, 2
Condition of the Grayling, 16;
of the Trout, 2
Cow Dung Fly, 57
Creel, or Pannier, 34
Dark Mackerel Fly, 92
Davy, Sir Humphrey, on the
fins of Trout, 2 ; on the
colouring matter in the sur-
face of the skin of Trout,
3 ; on the use of nostrils in
fish, 14; on the localities
of the Grayling, 18
Down Hill Fly, 77
Down Head Fly, 74
Down Looker, 74
Dropper and Stretcher, 37
Dubbing Bag, 28
Dun Drake, 60
Dyes, recipes for, 34
Examination of the stomach
of the Trout, 14; of the
Grayhng, 20
114
INDEX.
Ephemeral Flies, account of,
92
Feeding of Trout, 12
Fern Fly, 84
Fiery Furnace, 104
Fins of the Grayling, 1 5 ; of
the Trout, 1
Fishing hut (or observatory),
5
Fishing, manner of, for Trout
and Grayling, 37 ; for
Grayling, 47
Fly, choice of a, 40
Flies small, why and when
preferred, 41
Fly Books, and Boxes, 33
Fly making, 28
Food of the Grayling, 20 ; of
the Trout, 12
Foot-line, or Bottom, 26
Form of the Grayling, 15
Frog Hopper (light brown), 99
Gold Eyed Gauze Wing, 97
Golden Dun Midge, 63
Glossy winged Drake, 86
Grayling, 15; form, 15; fins,
15; weight, 15; colour,
16; condition, 16; haunts,
17 ; food, 20 ; other names
for, 20 ; fishing for, 47
Grannom, 68
Gravel bed, 67
Great Dark Drone, 56
Great Dark Dun, 54
Great Red Spinner, 61
Green Drake, 87 ; recipe for
dying a feather for, 35
Green Tail, 66
Grey Drake, 88
Gut, recipe for staining, 36 ;
manner of proving the
strength of, 26
Haunts of Grayling, 17 ; of
Trout, 3
Hawthorn Fly, 73
Hazel Fly, 90
Hearing, sense of, in fish, 6
Hooks, 27; Kirby, 27; Li-
merick, 27; Carlisle, 27;
temper of, 27
Humble Bee, 12
Iron Blue Dun, 71
Jenny Spinner, 72
July Dun, 96
Killing a fish, manner of, 46
Kirby hook, 27
Landing Net, 34 ; for Gray-
ling indispensable, 47
Life, resemblance of, should
be given to the artificial fly,
41
Light Mackerel Fly, 58
Limerick hook, 27
Line, 23
Little Dark Spinner, 80
Little Pale Blue Dun, 109
Little Brown Dun, 79
Little Yellow May Dun, 75
Manner of fishing, 37
March Brown, 58
Marlow Buzz, 91
May Fly, 86
Measurement of the Trout, 1
Nostrils of fish, use of the,
13
Oak Fly, 74
Observatory described, 5
Olive Dun colour, recipe for
dying, 35
Orange Fly, 104
Orl Fly, 82
Rale Brown Bent Hopper, 98
Pale Evening Dun, 95
Palmers, black, brown, red,
111; method of making,
INDEX.
1J5
32 ; never totiilly out of
season, 41
Pannier, or Crele, 34
Peacock Fly, 59
Plan, or map, of a brook, 4
Practice in throwing a fly, 38
Preparation of the rod and
line, 37
Purple feather, recipe for dy-
ing, 35
Recipes for dving, 34
Red Fly, 51 "
Red Spinner, 53
Red Ant, 100
Reel, 24
Resemblance of life should be
given to the artificial fly, 41
Rod, 22
*' Rising short " explained, 43
River Blythe, 5
Salmo Fario, 1
Salmo Thymallus, 21
Sand Fly, 64
Saw Fly, 54
Sense of hearing in fishes, 6 ;
of sight, 8 ; of smell, and
taste, 11
Shadow, 44
Shorn Fly, 90
Shyness of the Trout,
Sight of fishes, 8
Silver Horns Fly, 101
Sky Blue Dun, 83
Sm^all Flies, 41
Smell and Taste in fish, II
Soldier Fly, 82
Spawning of Trout, 6
Species of Trout, 70 ; of Flies,
48
Spinning Jenny, 70
Spider Fly, 66'
Sport, state of the water in
reference to, 39
Stationary position of the
Trout, 4
Stomach of fishes, manner of
examining, 15; of Trout,
14; of Grayling, 20
Stone Fly, 65
Stretcher and Dropper, 37
Striking a fish, manner of, 45
Sudden cessation of rises, 43
Tackle, 22
Taste and smell of fish, 1 1
Temper of hooks, 27
Throwing a fly, art of, 38
Throwing to a fish just risen,
44
Trout, measurement, 1 ;
weight, 1 ; fins, 1 ; colour,
2; condition, 2; haunts,
3 ; stationary position, 5 ;
hearing, 6 ; sight, 8 ; taste,
and smell, 11 ; feeding,
&c., 12
Turkey Brown, 78
Umber, or Grayling, 20
Wasps and Bees, rejected by
fish, 12
Water, the state of, for fish-
ing, 39
Water Cricket, 55
Weather, choice of for fishing,
39
Weight of the Trout, 1 ; of
the Grayling, 15
Whirling Blue Dun, 108
Willow Fly, 110
W^oodcock Fly, 74
Wren Tail, 98
Yellow Dun, 69
Yellow Sally, 81
JM
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